Final answer:
Misleading information regarding Soviet missile capabilities led the US to increase armament efforts in response to perceived threats, in line with the Cold War strategy of Mutually Assured Destruction (MAD). This build-up of arms was part of the broader arms race and ultimately contributed to arms reduction treaties like START.
Step-by-step explanation:
The misleading information regarding Soviet missiles affected US armament by leading to an increase in US armaments to counter perceived Soviet threats. During the Cold War, both the US and the USSR were engaged in a race to develop nuclear weapons, including intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs). The doctrine of Mutually Assured Destruction (MAD) played a central role in the strategic planning of both nations, with the idea that the possession of a vast nuclear arsenal would prevent either side from initiating a nuclear conflict due to the fear of complete mutual destruction.
The incorrect assumptions about the strength and placement of Soviet missiles led to heightened fears and ultimately contributed to the arms race. Increased US armament efforts were a direct response to the perceived threats, aimed at ensuring that the US had enough firepower to deter Soviet aggression and preserve national security. This situation also led to the eventual signing of arms reduction agreements, such as the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START), as both nations recognized the dangerous implications of an unchecked arms race.