SOVIET LONG-RANGE COMMUNICATIONS IN AFGHANISTAN

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: NGA Records (Formerly NIMA)
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP84T00171R000100240001-5
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 8
• Document Creation Date: December 28, 2016
• Document Release Date: January 30, 2012
• Sequence Number: 1
• Publication Date: June 1, 1983
• Content Type: REPORT

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MEW
ONVEPOW&VOM UK
Z-1205?/833
OAR-0023/83
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Copy 4 2
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SECRET
NOFORN
SOVIET LONG-RANGE COMMUNICATIONS IN AFGHANISTAN (S)
INTRODUCTION
1. Imagery from shows that the Soviets have estab-
lished an extensive communications network in Afghanistan to facilitate long-range command
and control between the army-level command elements in Kabul, subordinate units throughout
the country, and command authorities in the Soviet Union. Because of the mountainous terrain
and the distance between installations in Afghanistan, reliance on satellite and troposcatter com-
munications is heavy. The Soviets have also combined satellite, troposcatter, and high-frequency
(HF) communications to ensure reliable contact among most major facilities. This report delin-
eates the types and deployment patterns of equipment used. It includes one annotated map,
three annotated photographs, and one table which lists all known Soviet long-range communica-
tions facilities in Afghanistan and equipment present at these facilities. (S/WN)
DESCRIPTION
2. Soviet long-range communications in Afghanistan link regimental and division headquar-
ters with the 40th Army Headquarters in Kabul and with other command authorities in the Soviet
Union (Figure 1).1 These communications nets use PARK DRIVE and WOOD BINE satellite. com-
munications sets; TWIN DISH, TWIN PLATE, modified TWIN PLATE, TWIN EAR A, and TWIN EAR
fixed mast-mounted troposcatter communications sets; and HF antenna fields (Table 1). Satellite
communications systems are also used by all division headquarters as well as 40th Army Head-
quarters (Figure 2). Additionally, four motorized rifle regiments are equipped with WOOD BINE
sets, indicating that these units may act as independent regiments (satellite communications
equipment is normally used only by division- and high-level echelons). (S/WN)
3. Troposcatter communications equipment is widely used for Soviet long-range communi-
cations in Afghanistan. A major TWIN DISH/TWIN PLATE/modified TWIN PLATE troposcatter
communications net links Kabul in Afghanistan with Termez-a major Soviet border transshipment
point-via Pol-E Khomri (Figure 3), which serves as a troposcatter relay position. A TWIN DISH link
also extends between Termez and Kunduz (Qonduz) in Afghanistan. TWIN EAR troposcatter links
are also used extensively to join high- and low-level echelon units and to connect these units to
the main Kabul-Termez troposcatter net. In addition, a TWIN EAR A and a TWIN EAR fixed mast-
mounted link connect Kushka, another Soviet border point, via Herat, with Shindand, in western
Afghanistan. A TWIN EAR A link also connects Herat and Shindand (Figure 4). The Soviets have
also constructed HF antenna fields at installations in the Kabul area. (S/WN)
4. The use of various combinations of satellite, troposcatter, and HF communications at
most major Soviet deployments provides redundant communications links between these facili-
ties. Some units, however, such as those at Kandahar (Qandahar) and Ghazni, both in Afghani-
stan, do not appear to have redundant communications links and may utilize tactical communica-
tions equipment with relays or existing Afghan equipment for backup communications. (S/WN)
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100
U
USSR
a 100
KILOMETERS
WOOD SINE
PARK DRIVE
} HF ANTENNA FIELD
TWIN DISH/TWIN PLATE/
MODIFIED TWIN PLATE LINK
----TWIN EAR A LINK
TWIN EAR FIXED MAST-
MOUNTED LINK
68? 70? 72?
_2_
SECRET
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NPIC T-6412
 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/01/30: CIA-RDP84TO0171 R000100240001-5
Table 1.
Soviet Long-Range Communications Equipment in Afghanistan
Item
Facility/BE No./
Coordinates
Three TWIN EAR A;
One TWIN EAR A and one TWIN EAR fixed mast-mounted
two TWIN EAR
oriented north toward Kushka; two TWIN EAR A and
34-11-17N 062-13-42E
fixed mast-mounted
one TWIN EAR fixed mast-mounted oriented south toward
2
Shindand Deployment Area
One WOOD BINE;
Shindand
WOOD BINE and TWIN EAR are in the 5th Motorized Rifle
two TWIN EAR A;
Division (MRD) Hq. area. TWIN EAR A and TWIN EAR
33-25-1ON 062-18-14E
one TWIN EAR fixed
fixed mast-mounted oriented north toward Herat
Shindand Airfield
mast-mounted
One PARK DRIVE'
33-23-25N 062-15-20E
One WOOD SINE'
Existing Afghan HF antenna fields may also be utilized
by the Soviets
One WOOD BINE'
One R-409 radio relay set near the WOOD BINE. in conjunction
with a relay site, could be used as a backup communications
One TWIN EAR A
system
6
Jalalabad Army Camp Soviet
One WOOD BINE'
Bivouac 3
two TWIN EAR A
Four PARK DRIVE,'
The four PARK DRIVE probably support 40th Army Hq.; a fifth
HF antenna field
PARK DRIVE is sometimes present; HF antenna field consists
of two fishbone 2-2-2 and two quadrant antennas; extra
troposcatter communications sets stored there
Kabul Communications Satellite
A Radcom Ste
8 Ba rag m Soviet Barracks Area
34-55-45N 06069-15-01E
9 Pol-E Khomri Sov Deployment Area
Kabul Soviet Commo Site
34-33-21N 069-03-13E
Kabul Deployment Area NW
34-34-28N 069-06-30E
Two TWIN DISH sets.
two Modified TWIN
PLATE sets,
two TWIN EAR A
TWIN DISH and modified TWIN PLATE sets oriented north toward
Pol-E Khomri; one TWIN EAR A oriented east toward Jalalabad;
one TWIN EAR A oriented south toward Gardez
HF antenna field consists of two frequency diverse pairs of double
rhombic, eight quadrant. and six probable horizontal dipole
antennas
PARK DRIVE have been observed temporarily deployed there several
times since 1978
Four TWIN DISH sets,
four modified TWIN
PLATE sets,
one TWIN PLATE set
One WOOD BINE,'
one TWIN DISH set,
one TWIN EAR A
One WOOD BINE,'
two TWIN EAR A
Two TWIN DISH sets and three modified TWIN PLATE sets oriented
north toward Termez; two TWIN DISH sets, one modified TWIN
PLATE set, and one TWIN PLATE set oriented south toward Kabul:
equipment on ridgeline 2 nm WNW of the installation at 35-53-OON
068-45-45E
WOOD BINE is in the 201st MRD Hq. area; TWIN DISH set oriented
NW toward Termez; the TWIN EAR A oriented east toward
Faizabad
One TWIN EAR A oriented west toward Kunduz; one TWIN EAR A
oriented north toward the USSR: TWIN EAR are on a hill 3 nm
east of the airfield at 37-06-1 5N 070-34-20E
The orientation of WOOD BINE and PARK DRIVE SETS could not be accurately determined at these facilities.
"Unit Designators are taken from Reference Document 1.
-3-
S SECRET IAR-0023183
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SECRET
All applicable satellite imagery acquired from January 1980 through
preparation of this report. (S/WN)
DOCUMENT
1. DIA. DDB-1100-UR-81, Ground Order of Battle: USSR (U), Jan 81 (SECRET/NOFORN/WNINTEL*)
*Extracted information is releasable to
RELATED DOCUMENTS
NPIC IAR-0032/82-1, Upgrading of Communications Network between USSR and Afghanistan, Jun 1982
DIA, DIAIAPPR 57-82, USSR: Command and Control Communications Below Army Level (U), 25 May
1982 (SECRET/NOFORN/WNINTEL)
Comments this report are welcome. They may be directed to
Third World Forces Division, Imagery Exploitation
SECRET IA R-0023/83
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