ASSESSMENT OF STATUS OF SOVIET MILITARY PERSONNEL IN CUBA

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP79T00429A001400020019-0
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: December 15, 2016
• Document Release Date: April 13, 2004
• Sequence Number: 19
• Publication Date: December 20, 1963
• Content Type: MEMO

Approved For Rel~e 2004/07/08~~~~T00429AOA~00020019-0
OCI No. 3534/63
20 December 1g63
SUB~'ECT: Assessment of Status of Soviet Military Personnel in Cuba
S ummar
1. Since the October crisis of 1962, the role of the Soviet mili-
tary in Cuba has changed and the great majority of Soviet military
personnel has been withdrawn. Most of the Soviets remaining are ad-
visers and technicians engaged in training Cuban personnel in the
operation of Soviet weapons, in supervising the use and maintenance
of Soviet equipment turned over to the Cubans, and in operating and
controlling the surface-to-air missile (SAM) system. We believe that
no organized Soviet ground combat units remain in Cuba and that the
only Soviet ground forces personnel remaining are those advising Cuban
military units. Based on our continuing appraisal. of Soviet activity,
we estimate Soviet military strength in Cuba at present to be between
four and seven thousand. The present number will probably remain re-
latively unchanged until the program of training Cubans in the SAM sys-
tem is eompleted, at which time substantial additional withdrawals
probably will occur.
Withdrawal of Soviet Militate Personnel
2. Since our last assessment in late October, the number of Soviet
military personnel in Cuba has remained relatively stable. Between 15,000
and 18,400 Soviet military personnel have departed since October 1962.
During the past two months a large number of Soviet military personnel
have departed but this number has been offset somewhat by the arrival
of replacement personnel and personnel returning from home leave. On
balance, the departures appear to have exceeded the arrivals by several
hundreds.
Status of Soviet Weapons
3. Of the Soviet weapons introduced into Cuba during the military
buildup last year, all--with the exception of the surface-to-air missiles,
and possibly the FROGS--have either been withdrawn from the island or
transferred to Cuban control. The present trend involves continuing
efforts to improve Castro's independent military capabilities. By mid-
196~, enough Cubans probably will be trained to operate all remaining
Soviet weapons, including the surface-to-air missiles.
DIA review(s) completed.
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5. Moat Soviet ground forces personnel have been withdrawn from
Cuba. 'Those ground forces personnel retraining are involved in txain-
ing~~Cuban unite throughout the island,. The faux Soviet armored camps
have been transferred to Cuban control.. The Soviet T-5455 tanks
and other eg,uipment at the camps, with the possible exception of k'RCGs,
have been turned over to the Cubans and mast of the eq,ui~ment moved to
Cuban training installations and operational units.
6. The SAM and air surveillance stem in Cuba is currentl tranned
and controlled by Soviet personnel.
25X1
25X1
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7. Reorganization of the air defense system in Cuba continues.
Since mid-September, l0 of the 24 SAM sites have been relocated... The 2 5X1
pattern of relocations indicates a shift from an island-wide SAM coverage
The Surface-to Air Missile and Air Defense System
Approved For Release 2004/07/085~17~-T00429A001400020019-0