Final answer:
The Soviet focus on military strength strained its economy and hindered the development of essential industries.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Soviet focus on military strength had a significant impact on its economy. Military spending strained the Soviet economy (option c). The Soviet leaders prioritized military expansion and allocated a large portion of their resources to the military, which put a strain on other sectors of the economy. This focus on military strength resulted in an imbalanced economy and hindered the development and modernization of essential industries such as oil, steel, and agriculture.