TRENDS IN THE SOVIET ANTARTIC PROGRAM

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP84-00825R000300140001-5
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 17
• Document Creation Date: November 17, 2016
• Document Release Date: July 7, 2000
• Sequence Number: 1
• Publication Date: February 1, 1974
• Content Type: REPORT

Approved For Release 2000/08/17 : CIA-RDP84-00825R000300140001-5
Central Intelligence Agency
Directorate of Intelligence
February 1974
TRENDS IN THE SOVIET ANTARCTIC PROGRAM
1. The USSR's Antarctic program appears to have
stabilized and matured following a period of uncertainty
and then rapid expansion during the 1960's (Figures 1 and
2, following page 1). Most of this past expansion as well
as the present mix of scientific programs can be traced
to decisions reached during a major policy study in 1966,
and refined in subsequent annual reviews. These stated
objectives emphasize research that will yield practi cal
benefits, particularly from marine and mineral resources,
and from meteorological and geophysical forecasting.
2. The Nineteenth Soviet Antarctic Expedition (SAE),
1973-74, is remarkably similar in size and scope to the
previous three expeditions. For the fourth consecutive
year the USSR will probably man six year-round stations.
No mention has been made this year of plans to open a
new station, Russkaya, on the coast of Marie Byrd Land
(see map, page 2). Attempts during the last two expeditions
to establish Russkaya failed; last year's try led to a
delay in ship scheduling and eventual entrapment of the
resupply ship Ob' for three months in the ice pack.
Indications several years ago that Mirnyy station might
be abandoned have been negated by a current rebuilding
program.
STATINTL
STATINTL
Comments and questions may be directed to
of the office of Basic and Geographic Intelligence,
Code 143, Extension 2257.
Approved For Release 2000/08/17 : CIA-RDP84-00825R000300140001-5
 Approved For Release 2000/08/17 : CIA-RDP84-00825R000300140001-5
3. According to the Soviet press, about 750 persons
are on the Nineteenth SAE. Some 350 of these are crew
members of the five ships supporting the expedition. The
400 regular expedition members are allocated roughly as
follows: 240 persons at permanent stations, more than
100 on field parties, and about 50 on shipboard research
and support activities. The 240 station personnel are
augmented during the present summerseason
tbyn addadditional
100 to 200 members of the overlapp'ng 9 na
Approved For Release 2000/08/17 : CIA-RDP84-00825R000300140001-5
 Approved For Release 2000/08/17 : CIA-RDP84-00825R000300140001-5
4. One of the best indicators of trends in the
Soviet Antarctic effort is the total number of wintering-
over scientific workers. During 1973, the scientific
contingent at six Soviet stations numbered 112, almost
triple the 41 who stayed in 1962. Of this total,
Molodezhnaya had about 40, Mirnyy and Vostok had 20 each,
and Bellingshausen, Leningradskaya, and Novolazarevskaya
were about equal with 10 each. All other countries active
in Antarctica, including the US, support fewer than 50
scientific workers on the continent during the winter
season.
5. Scientific activities at the six Soviet stations
encompass the entire range of atmospheric and earth
sciences common to the Antarctic programs of other
countries. The largest are meteorology, radiowave
propagation, satellite geodesy, glaciology, medicine,
and geomagnetic research. Significant recent developments
in these fields include: a meteorological rocket launching
program at Molodezhnaya; an ice drilling program at Vostok
that has reached a depth of 1000 meters and is designed to
reach the bottom of the 3,500-meter-thick ice; a biomedical
program that includes a new medical research center at
Molodezhnaya; a new computing center at Molodezhnaya for
processing meteorological and other data.
6. Activities during the austral summer season vary
considerably from year to year and are composed of distinct
marine and continental components. The marine portion
fluctuates with the number of research vessels available
to the expedition: in recent years two or three ships
have been available to conduct research between expedition
logistic duties. (Soviet research vessels without logistic
duties related to Antarctic shore stations are not
considered to be part of an SAE even when conducting
research in Antarctic waters.)
7. Seasonal field research conducted on land during
the last three expeditions has considerably exceeded that
of any previous expedition. Nearly all of it has been
based at a temporary camp on the Amery Ice Shelf in East
Antarctica. In each of the three seasons more than 100
scientists and support personnel using aircraft and
helicopters have operated from the Amery camp. This year
Approved For Release 2000/08/17 : CIA-RDP84-00825R000300140001-5
 Approved For Release 2000/08/17 : CIA-RDP84-00825R000300140001-5
they plan to complete mapping of the entire mountainous
area extending 800 kilometers inland from the Amery camp
using data compiled from geological, gravity, seismic,
aerial photographic, radio ice sounding, and magnetic
surveys. Soviet researchers have stated that these data
will be used to evaluate the area's mineral resources.
They have given no indication of the nature or scope of
future field programs. An ambitious project, announced in
1971, to install 34 automatic geomagnetic stations
throughout East Antarctica has not been pursured according
to the original schedule; it may now be accelerated using
resources freed by completion of the field project around
the Amery Ice Shelf.
AIR AND SEA LOGISTICS
8. The five ships being used on the current expedition
provide the largest combined cargo capacity of any Soviet
Antarctic Expedition. Two, the Vasiliy Fedoseyev and the
Olenek, are ice-strengthened cargo vessels of 8,108 gross
tons, identical to the Navarin and similar to the Ob',
both used on previous expo iitions. The Nina Sagais
a somewhat smaller refrigerated cargo ship that requires
an escort in ice. The Bashkiriya is a 5,211-gross-ton
passenger vessel of the same class as the Nadezhda
Krupskaya, used by the 18th SAE. Finally, the Professor
Vize is an ice-strengthened research, passenger, and
cargo vessel that has been used on four previous expeditions.
9. The USSR employed five ships in its Antarctic
operations once before, on the Sixteenth SAE. In that
instance, however, one was a fuel tanker which is used in
alternate years to resupply the large tank farms at
Molodezhnaya and Mirnyy. The first 12 SAE's (1955-1967)
used an average of two ships -- the multipurpose vessel
Ob', and usually a passenger vessel. The last six SAE's
prior to this year have averaged four ships -- the Q W,
the Professor Vize or its twin the Professor Zubov, a
tanker in alernate years, a freighter in four of the years,
and in one season two Navy hydrographic vessels.
Approved For Release 2000/08/17 : CIA-RDP84-00825R000300140001-5
 Approved For Release 2000/08/17 : CIA-RDP84-00825R000300140001-5
10. Although they are not considered part of the
Soviet Antarctic expedition, other research vessels from
USSR Academy of Sciences and fisheries fleets also operate
in the Antarctic each year. During the current season,
for example, a fisheries research ship will tow a manned
submersible in Antarctic waters.
11. The USSR has not used aircraft to ferry personnel
and supplies to Antarctic since 1964, at least partly be-
cause of a lack of adequate landing facilities at the
continental stations. Aircraft are, however, used in most
years to shuttle some of the annual relief personnel as
far as Australia, where they are picked up by one of the
expedition ships.
12. The USSR has often acknowledged a need for larger
aircraft for intercontinental and intracontinental support.
A Soviet Antarctic specialist has noted that this require-
ment will soon become critical because production of the
IL-14 has been discontinued. This plane is similar in size
to the DC-3 and provides the only Soviet capability to fly
to the interior station Vostok. The USSR has recently
shown interest in purchasing the larger C-130 aircraft from
the US to meet these needs.
13. On the continent itself, light aircraft and
helicopters are used to ferry personnel and cargo from
ship to shore and between stations and also in support
of field parties. This capability has increased slightly
this year over that of the past few years, continuing a
trend that has been noticeable for some time. On hand for
the 19th SAE are four IL-14's, two AN-2's (small biplanes),
and four MI-8 helicopters, each with a payload capacity of
7,000 pounds.
Approved For Release 2000/08/17 : CIA-RDP84-00825R000300140001-5
 Approved For Release 2000/08/17 : CIA-RDP84-00825R000300140001-5
Trends in the Soviet Antarctic Program
BGI RP 74-10
February 1974
Approved For Release 2000/08/17 : CIA-RDP84-00825R000300140001-5
 Approved For Release 2000/08/17 : CIA-RDP84-00825R000300140001-5
Central Intelligence Agency
Directorate of Intelligence
February 1974
TRENDS IN THE SOVIET ANTARCTIC PROGRAM
STATINTL
1. The USSR's Antarctic program appears to have
stabilized and matured following a period of uncertainty
and then rapid expansion during the 1960's (Figures 1 and
2, following page 1). Most of this past expansion as well
as the present mix of scientific programs can be traced
to decisions reached during a major policy study in 1966,
and refined in subsequent annual reviews. These stated
objectives emphasize research that will yield practical
benefits, particularly from marine and mineral resources,
and from meteorological and geophysical forecasting.
2. The Nineteenth Soviet Antarctic Expedition (SAE),
1973-74, is remarkably similar in size and scope to the
previous three expeditions. For the fourth consecutive
year the USSR will probably man six year-round stations.
No mention has been made this year of plans to open a
new station, Russkaya, on the coast of Marie Byrd Land
(see map, page 2). Attempts during the last two expeditions
to establish Russkaya failed; last year's try led to a
delay in ship scheduling and eventual entrapment of the
resupply ship Ob' for three months in the 'i ce pack.
Indications several years ago that Mirnyy station might
be abandoned have been negated by a current rebuilding
program.
Comments and questions may be directed to
- of the Office of Basic and Geographic Inte ZZigence,
Code 143, Extension 2257.
STATINTL
Approved For Release 2000/08/17 : CIA-RDP84-00825R000300140001-5
 Approved For Release 2000/08/17 : CIA-RDP84-00825R000300140001- figure 1
unbar of ersoa i c i Soviet A stardic Expe itio is
0
1960-61 61-62 62-63 63-64 64-65 65-66 66-67 67-68 68-69 69-70 70-71 71-72 12-73 73-74
SAE 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19
4-0
Total Expedition Personnel
Ships' Crews
Aviation Personnel
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 Approved For Release 2000/08/17 : CIA-RDP84-00825RO00300140001-Lur00 2
umber of vilnter Personnel on Soviet Aftarctic Expeditions
1_-_ I I I I I I
0
1960-61 61-62 62-63 63-64 64-65 65-66 66-67 67-68 68-69 69-70 70-71 71-72 72-73 73-74
SAE 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19
Number of Sumer Personnel on Soviet Antarctic Expeditions
300
Total Winter Personnel
Winter Scientists
Total Summer Personnel "
Summer Scientists*
1960-61 61-62 62-63 63-64 64--65 65-66 66-67 67-68 68-69 69-70 70-71 71-72 72-73 73-74
SAE 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19
'0n last five SAE's includes 12 to 25 man scientific detachment on
Vize and Zubov, officially listed by USSR as ship's crew.
"Does not include ships' crews.
Approved For Release 2000/08/17 : CIA-RDP84-00825R000300140001-5
 Approved For Release 2000/08/17 : CIA-RDP84-00825R000300140001-5
3. According to the Soviet press, about 750 persons
are on the Nineteenth SAE. Some 350 of these are crew
members of the five ships supporting the expedition. The
400 regular expedition members are allocated roughly as
follows: 240 persons at permanent stations, more than
100 on field parties, and about 50 on shipboard research
and support activities. The 240 station personnel are
augmented during the present summer season by an additional
100 to 200 members of the overlapping Eighteenth SAE.
Approved For Release 2000/08/17 : CIA-RDP84-00825R000300140001-5
 Approved For Release 2000/08/17 : CIA-RDP84-00825R000300140001-5
4. One of the best indicators of trends in the
Soviet Antarctic effort is the total number of wintering-
over scientific workers. During 1973, the scientific
contingent at six Soviet stations numbered 112, almost
triple the 41 who stayed in 1962. Of this total,
Molodezhnaya had about 40, Mirnyy and Vostok had 20 each,
and Bellingshausen, Leningradskaya, and Novolazarevskaya
were about equal with 10 each. All other countries active
in Antarctica, including the US, support fewer than 50
scientific workers on the continent during the winter
season.
5. Scientific activities at the six Soviet stations
encompass the entire range of atmospheric and earth
sciences common to the Antarctic programs of other
countries. The largest are meteorology, radiowave
propagation, satellite geodesy, glaciology, medicine,
and geornagneti c research. Significant recent developments
in these fields include: a meteorological rocket 1 th.unchi ng
program at Molodezhnaya; an ice drilling program at Vostok
that has reached a depth of 1000 meters and is designed to
reach the bottom of the 3,500-meter-thick ice; a biomedical
program that includes a new medical research center at
Mot odezhnaya; a new computing center at Molodezhnaya for
processing meteorological and other data.
6. Activities during the austral summer season vary
considerably from year to year and are composed of distinct
marine and continental components. The marine portion
fluctuates with the number of research vessels available
to the expedition: in recent years two or three ships
have been available to conduct research between expedition
logistic duties. (Soviet research vessels without logistic
duties related to Antarctic shore stations are not
considered to be part of an SAE even when conducting
research in Antarctic waters.)
7. Seasonal field research conducted on land during
the last three expeditions has considerably exceeded that
of any previous expedition. Nearly all of it has been
based at a temporary camp on the Amery Ice Shelf in East
Antarctica. In each of the three seasons more than 100
scientists and support personnel using aircraft and
helicopters have operated from the Amery camp. This year
Approved For Release 2000/08/17 : CIA-RDP84-00825R000300140001-5
 Approved For Release 2000/08/17 : CIA-RDP84-00825R000300140001-5
they plan to complete mapping of the entire mountainous
area extending 800 kilometers inland from the Amery camp
using data compiled from geological , gravity, seismic,
aerial photographic, radio ice sounding, and magnetic
surveys. Soviet researchers have stated that these data
will be used to evaluate the area's mineral resources.
They have given no indication of the nature or scope of
future field programs. An ambitious project, announced in
1971, to install 34 automatic geomagnetic stations
throughout East Antarctica has not been pursured according
to the original schedule; it may now be accelerated using
resources freed by completion of the field project around
the Amery Ice Shelf.
AIR AND SEA LOGISTICS
8. The five ships being used on the current expedition
provide the largest combined cargo capacity of any Soviet
Antarctic Expedition. Two, the Vasili Fedose ev and the
Olenek, are ice-strengthened cargo vessels of 8,108 gross
tons, identical to the Navarin and similar to the Ob',
both used on previous expeditions. The Nina Sac aydak is
a somewhat smaller refrigerated cargo ship that requires
an escort in ice. The Bashkiriya is a 5,211-gross-ton
passenger vessel of the same class as the Nadezhda
Kruoskaya, used by the 18th SAE. Finally, the Professor
Vize is an ice-strengthened research, passenger, and
cargo vessel that has been used on four previous expeditions.
9. The USSR employed five ships in its Antarctic
operations once before, on the Sixteenth SAE. In that
instance, however, one was a fuel tanker which is used in
alternate years to resupply the large tank farms at
Molodezhnaya and Mirnyy. The first 12 SAE's (1955-1967)
used an average of two ships -- the multipurpose vessel
Ob', and usually a passenger vessel. The last six SAE's
prior to this year have averaged four ships -- the Ob',
the Professor Vize or its twin the Professor Zubov, a
tanker in al ernate years, a freighter in four of the years,
and in one season two Navy hydrographic vessels.
Approved For Release 2000/08/17 : CIA-RDP84-00825R000300140001-5
 Approved For Release 2000/08/17 : CIA-RDP84-00825R000300140001-5
10. Although they are not considered part of the
Soviet Antarctic expedition, other research vessels from
USSR Academy of Sciences and fisheries fleets also operate
in the Antarctic each year. During the current season,
for example, a fisheries research ship will tow a manned
submersible in Antarctic waters.
11. The USSR has not used aircraft to ferry personnel
and supplies to Antarctic since 1964, at least partly be-
cause of a lack of adequate landing facilities at the
continental stations. Aircraft are, however, used in most
years to shuttle some of the annual relief personnel as
far as Australia, where they are picked up by one of the
expedition ships.
12. The USSR has often acknowledged a need for larger
aircraft for intercontinental and intracontinental support.
A Soviet Antarctic specialist has noted that this require-
ment will soon become critical because production of the
IL-14 has been discontinued. This plane is similar in size
to the DC-3 and provides the only Soviet capability to fly
to the interior station Vostok. The USSR has recently
shown interest in purchasing the larger C-130 aircraft from
the US to meet these needs.
13. On the continent itself, light aircraft and
helicopters are used to ferry personnel and cargo from
ship to shore and between stations and also in support
of field parties. This capability has increased slightly
this year over that of the past few years, continuing a
trend that has been noticeable for some time. On hand for
the 19th SAE are four IL-14's, two AN-2's (small biplanes),
and four MI-8 helicopters, each with a payload capacity of
7,000 pounds.
Approved For Release 2000/08/17 : CIA-RDP84-00825R000300140001-5
 Approved For Release 2000/08/17 : CIA-RDP84-825R000300140001-5
DISTRIBUTION LIST
STATINTL
Title of Report Date
Trends in the Soviet Antarctic Program 13 February 1974
Report No. Project No. Classification Control
RP 74-10 69.1361/11 UNCLASSIFIED E IMPDET
CL BY 019641
Name of Requester Name of Anal st Branch
Adm. Thomas Owen, Asst. Dir. OBGI/GD/X
National Science Foundation
INTERNAL
DDCI, 7E12, HQ
1 - George A. Carver, Jr., D/DCI/NIO, 6F19, HQ
1 - NIO, 7E62, HQ (Attn:
STATINTL
STATINTL
1 - Congressional Support Officer, 7F36, HQ
- 0/DDI, 7E44, HQ (Attn: STATINTL
1 - CRS/DPSD/DSB/Doc, 1E4810, HQ
2 - CRS/ISG, 1H19, HQ
2 - IRS/HRG, 2G40, HQ STATINTL
3 - NPIC/IB, 1S518,
1 - OPR/USSR, 3E58, HQ
1 - OD/BGI
1 - OCh/NISD/OBGI
2 - OCh/CD/OBGI
2 - OCh/MLD/OBGI STATINTL
1 - Archives,
7 - OCh/GD/OBGI
3 - GD/X
STATINTL
1 - OCI/SRE, 7G31, HQ
1 - OSI/PSED, 5F25, HQ (Attn:
1 - OSR/RA/U, 2G11, HQ
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 Approved For F.lease 2000/08/17 : CIA-RDP84-U825R000300140001-5
EXTERNAL
2 - Comdr. Kelsey B. Goodman
OASD/ISA
Department of Defense
Pentagon (Rm 4B748)
Washington, D. C. 20301
5 - Mr. Harris B. Stone
Office of Chief of Naval Operations
Department of Defense
Pentagon (Rm 4B525)
Washington, D. C. 20301
2 - Mr. Jacques Heilfron
Dep. Dir. for Scientific and Tech. Intelligence
Defense Intelligence Agency
Pentagon (Rm 1E864)
Washington, D. C. 20301
1 - Mr. William MacDonald
OPPD/Branch of International Activities
Topographic Division, USGS
Department of Interior (Rm 2177)
Reston, Virginia 22092 STOP 515
2 - Mr. R. K. McGregor
Arctic Program
Earth Sciences Division
Naval Research Group
Office of Naval Research
Ballston Center Tower No. 1 (Rm. 307)
800 Quincy St.
Arlington, Virginia
3 - Mr. W. T. Peterson
Ocean Sciences and Technology Division
Sciences and Technology Department
Naval Intelligence Support Center (Rm S133)
4301 Suitland Road
Suitland, Maryland
1 - Mr. James Q. Tierney
Assistant Chief of Staff of Oceanographic Analysis
Oceanographer of the Navy
Hoffman Bldg. (Rm 8S33)
2461 Eisenhower Blvd.
Alexandria, Virginia
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 Approved For R,vlease 2000/08/17 : CIA-RDP84.Q 825R000300140001-5
EXTERNAL (Continued)
4 - Capt. James E. Heg
Chief, Polar Planning and Coordination Staff
Rm 620-D
National Science Foundation
Washington, D. C.
2 - Mr. Robert Yoder
SCI/SA
Rm 7824A
Department of State
Washington, D.C.
2 - Mr. Serge Olenicoff
Physical Sciences Department
The RAND Corporation
1700 Main Street
Santa Monica, California 90406 STATINTL
Rm 1S031
National Security Agency
Fort Meade, Maryland
1 - Mr. Evan T. Sage
Arms Control and Disarmament Agency
Rm- 4929
Department of'State
Washington,. D. C.
STATINTL
Approved For Release 2000/08/17 : CIA-RDP84-00825R000300140001-5
 ,n
I
L-_T
r
TIVITY NOTICE
Liiiiii___
1~1 017
SUBJECT
PROJECT NUMBER
ds in the Soviet Antarctic Program
T
69.1361./11
ren
25X1A
SUBJECT
REQUESTER
REQUESTING OFFICE
Adm,Thomas Owen, Asst. Dir., National Science
NSF
STATEMENT OF PROBLEM n tion TARGET DATE
On 22 Januar durin a meeting on another matter, 6February 74
/1
Adm. Owen and fell into a discussion of this ANALYST/BRANCH
year's Soviet Antarctic program. At that time he
mentioned that in mid-February he will be going to GD/X
Congress with budget proposals and will cite expansion FST. ANALYST MANHOURS
of the Soviet Antarctic program in his justification
for additional fundsFor this purpose lie requested 1.6
that provide him with data on the size of
the Soviet program and some analysis of trends over the 25X1A
past few years.
We propose preparing a short Research Paper of 25X1A
perhaps 10-15 paragraphs and a few graphs, using readily
available data. NIS Division could do the graphics.
Besides NSF, limited dissemination will be made to interested
components of DoD.
COORDINATION REQUIRED FROM
CD/BI : None
OTHER CIA: None
NON-CIA None
XXXXXXXX
CHIEF, Special Research BranclATE28Jan7
REPORT RECORD
REPORT NUMBER
CIA/BI G
PUDLITION DATE
ANALYST/BRANCFI
INITIAL OF COPIES
AREA CODE
JECT
MANHOURS EXPENDED
CLASSIFICATION
DISTRIBUTION
ANALYST
TYPIST
TS
C
STANDARD
V
A
d -d
iq
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M 2594 B IMF= CL, Y 01641 CONFIDENTIAL El SECRET