ABSTRACT

The 1972 ABM Treaty meant that the ABM issue disappeared from public and political view in Europe. Even the expensive Chevaline response to the Moscow ABM system proceeded in almost complete secrecy (Chapter 7). The credibility of the British and French deterrents seemed assured1 and the SALT process offered the prospect of progressive nuclear arms reductions by both superpowers. The Americans even decommissioned their sole ABM site almost as soon as it was completed.2