Capabilities of the Soviet General Purpose Forces, 1963-1969

The Central Intelligence Agency and the intelligence organizations of the Departments of State, Defense, the Army, the Navy, and the Air Force, 1964. — 69 p.
As considered in this estimate, Soviet general purpose forces include: (a) theater forces, i.e., ground combat and tactical air forces plus their associated command, support, and service elements, up through the level of military districts and groups of forces; (b) naval general purpose forces, i.e., naval forces subordinate to fleets and separate flotillas, including naval air forces, but excluding strategic attack missile submarine forces; and (c) military airlift and sealift elements. In addition, Soviet command and service elements providing general support to all components
of the Soviet military establishment are considered where appropriate. Those Soviet forces which perform other military missions, notably long-range striking forces and air and missile defense forces, are the subject of other National Intelligence Estimates,' and are discussed herein only insofar as they might be used in support of theater operations. It should be emphasized that, in discussing Soviet theater forces and their capabilities, we do not take account of the actions of opposing Western forces. In particular, we do not assess the effect on Soviet theater forces of an initial strategic nuclear exchange. It is obvious that such an exchange would profoundly affect the ability of Soviet theater forces to carry out their assigned missions in a general war.THE PROBLEM
SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS
DISCUSSION
SOVIET POLICY TOWARD GENERAL PURPOSE FORCES
SOVIET THEATER FORCES
A. Past Trends in Development
Reorganization and Modernization of Ground Forces
Tactical Air and Missile Support
Personnel Strengths
B. Current Size and Composition
Manning Levels of Divisions
Number of Divisions
Types of Divisions
Ground Armies.
Tactical Air and Missile Support
C. Current Strengths and Weaknesses
Nondivisional Support
Staltus of the Re-equipment Program
Mobilization Potential
Tactical Air and Missile Support
Theater Force Air Defense Capabilities
Tactical Nuclear Capabilities
Other Supporting Capabilities
NAVAL GENERAL PURPOSE FORCES
A. Past Trends in Development
B. Current Size and Composition
Submarine Force
Surface Forces
Naval Aviation
Current Strengths and Weaknesses
Against Carrier Task Forces
Against Sea Lines of Communication
ASW Capabilities
Sealift
CONTRIBUTION OF THE EAST EUROPEAN SATELLITES
A. W arsaw Pact
B. Ground Forces
C. Tactical. Air and-Missile Support
D . Reliability
GENERAL WAR CAPABILITIES AGAINST NATO
A. Current Operational Doctrine
B. Forces Available for Employment
Ground Forces
Air and Missile Support
Naval Support
C. Capabilities to Launch Campaigns Against Central Region
Immediately Available Forces
Reinforcement Capabilities
D. Capabilities for Naval Operations Against NATO
E. Capabilities to Launch Campaigns in Other Areas
LIMITED WAR CAPABILITIES
A. Non-Nuclear Theater Warfare
B. Limited Nu'clear Warfare
C. Distant Limited Military Operations
TRENDS IN GENERAL PURPOSE FORCES TO 1970
B. Tactical Aviation and Missiles
D. Naval Forces
E. Nuclear Weapons
ANNEX A--STRENGTH AND COMPOSITION OF SOVIET AND
EAST EUROPEAN SATELLITE GENERAL PURPOSE FORCES
ANNEX B-TECHNICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF SOVIET GENERAL
PURPOSE MISSILES, AIRCRAFT, AND SUBMARINES
ANNEX C-ORGANIZATION OF LARGE SOVIET THEATER
FORCE UNITS