The World - News from June 19, 1987

Soviet Bloc forces now enjoy parity with North Atlantic Treaty Organization countries or surpass them in most areas of military technology, including a possible advantage in “Star Wars” laser capability, a Jane’s defense publication said. The latest edition of the London publisher’s Military Communications annual review also reported the West is even in danger of losing its long-held advantage in battlefield communication equipment because of a lack of standardization within NATO. The report said satellite photos have revealed the Soviet Union has a space defense laser testing ground near the Afghan border.