Ballistic missiles would probably remain unused in this scenario because an opponent could mistake a conventional launch for a nuclear attack. Their potential targets nevertheless include fixed installations across the GIUK region. A separate comparison with modern anti-ship ballistic missiles identifies the difficulty of hitting moving naval forces at long range. Re-entry plasma can interrupt communications, while ships can manoeuvre, mislead satellite observation, and attack reconnaissance satellites. Those complications affect moving targets, but Soviet missile reach still covers Svalbard, Norway, Britain, Ireland, Iceland, and most of Greenland. Even positions far inside the Soviet hinterland could threaten the northern theatre.
Notable Point · 1:38:31-1:41:30
Ballistic-missile reach and nuclear ambiguity
A conventional ballistic-missile launch could be mistaken for a nuclear attack, while Soviet missile range leaves much of the GIUK region exposed.