The World - News from March 23, 1987

Norway is investigating U.S. complaints that high-technology exports by a state-owned concern have seriously weakened the Atlantic Alliance’s ability to detect Soviet submarines. Defense Minister Johan Joergen Holst said police are trying to learn whether weapons producer Kongsberg Vaapenfabrikk broke the law by exporting computer-aided design technology. U.S. sources said the technology, exported to the Soviet Union via Japan, enabled Moscow to introduce streamlined submarine propellers, sharply reducing the chances of detection by anti-submarine forces. The company said it had export licenses for the deal.