SOVIET DEPLOYMENT OF LATE-MODEL EQUIPMENT IN AFGHANISTAN

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: NGA Records (Formerly NIMA)
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP80T01355A000100340001-0
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 6
• Document Creation Date: December 28, 2016
• Document Release Date: October 8, 2010
• Sequence Number: 1
• Publication Date: June 1, 1980
• Content Type: REPORT

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Secret
Imagery analysis report
Soviet Deployment of Late-Model
Equipment in Afghanistan (S)
Secret
Z-20009/80
IAR-0109/80
JUNE 1980
Copy 167
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Warning Notice
Intelligence Sources and Methods Involved
(WNINTEL) or (D)
NATIONAL SECURITY INFORMATION
Unauthorized Disclosure Subject to Criminal Sanctions
NOFORN- Not Releasable to Foreign Nationals
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Contractor/Consultants
PROPIN- Caution-Proprietary Information Involved
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ORCON- Dissemination and Extraction of Information
Controlled by Originator
REL ... This Information has been Authorized for
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SOVIET DEPLOYMENT OF LATE-MODEL EQUIPMENT IN AFGHANISTAN (S)
1. (S/D) The Soviets have deployed a wide variety of late-model air, ground, and electronics
equipment in Afghanistan. At least 20 different items of late-model equipment have been seen.
This equipment includes items such as the RAM J aircraft, which is believed to still be in the
research and development (R&D) phase; the mineclearing vehicle M-1979, which has been de-
ployed in limited numbers in the Soviet Army; and the 122mm self-propelled (SP) howitzer M-
1974, which has been widely deployed but never used in combat.
2. (S/D) Some of the more significant items of late-model equipment identified in Afghani-
stan include the RAM J and FORGER aircraft, the BTR-70 armored personnel carrier (APC), the
152mm SP howitzer M-1973, the multiple rocket launcher (MRL) M-1977, the MT-LB SAM
transporter-erector-launcher (TEL), and the KH-1 van trailer.
3. (S/D) The RAM J aircraft is a prototype of a ground attack aircraft. This aircraft has
previously been identified in very limited numbers at R&D-associated airfields in the USSR. The
RAM J -was first identified in Afghanistan
4. (S/D) The FORGER aircraft is a Soviet naval vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) fleet
defense aircraft usually observed at Soviet naval air airfields or on Kiev-class guided missile
vertical short takeoff and landing (VSTOL) aircraft carriers. Three FORGER aircraft were ob-
served at Shindand Airfield Facilities constructed at the airfield for the FORGER
include five aircraft tent shelters, and a VSTOL runway which connects two VTOL pads.
5 (S/D) The BTR-70 APC (Figure 2) is the latest model APC deployed in the Soviet Army.
A BTR-70-equipped motorized rifle regiment was identified at Pol-E Khomri Soviet Deployment
6. (S/D) The 152mm SP howitzer M-1973 (Figure 3) was originally deployed in the Soviet
Army in the mid-1970s. This howitzer is widely deployed in divisional artillery regiments. A
battery of 152mm SP howitzers was first identified in Afghanistan at Asmar Barracks Brigade and
Regiment Headquarters and Supply Depot in the Konar valley in mid-March
1980. a 152mm SP howitzer battalion was observed in an artillery regiment bivouac at
Kabul Deployment Area Northwest
7. (S/D) The MRL M-1977 is a new heavy rocket launcher, usually deployed in army-level
rocket launcher regiments. A rocket launcher regiment containing one battalion (18 launchers) of
the MRL M-1977 was observed at Shindand Deployment Area
8. (S/D) The MT-LB SAM TEL (Figure 4) is the latest regimental air defense weapon
deployed in the Soviet Army. An MT-LB SAM battery (four TELs) was first observed in Afghani-
stan at Shindand Deployment Area Several additional regiments equipped with the
MT-LB SAM TEL have been identified in Afghanistan since January.
when two were observed at Shindand
(Continued p. 5)
WNINTEL
Z-20009/80
9 (I
25X1
25X1
25X1
25X1
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9. (S/D) The KH-l~ van trailer (Figure 5) has been associated with high-echelon
signal units. The exact function of the KH-1 has not yet been determined. The KH-1 was first
identified in Afghanistan at Kabul Deployment Area Southwest
The Kabul Deployment Area Southwest contains a major Soviet command post.
10. (SAD) Table 1 lists the items of late-model equipment identified in Afghanistan since the
December 1979 invasion.
Z-20009/80 SECRET
IA R-0109/80
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