CIA, Pentagon disagree on Soviet arms spending

The CIA and the Defense Department disagree over whether Soviet military spending is increasing, according to a report by the Congressional Joint Economic Committee. The report was released Tuesday by Sen. William Proxmire (D) of Wisconsin, who said it raised questions about the accuracy of US assessments of Soviet military strength.

The CIA estimated Soviet military spending grew at a yearly rate of 2 percent during 1978-81, compared with an annual rate of 4 to 5 percent during the previous 10 years.

The Defense Department's Defense Intelligence Agency said there was no slowdown in Soviet military spending, and it estimated annual increases of 6 to 7 percent during the last decade, according to the report. Senator Proxmire said the CIA estimates seemed more accurate because they were adjusted for inflation and the defense agency's were not.