SAM FORCES IN CUBA

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: NGA Records (Formerly NIMA)
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP84T00171R000100980001-4
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: T
• Document Page Count: 7
• Document Creation Date: December 28, 2016
• Document Release Date: January 23, 2012
• Sequence Number: 1
• Publication Date: July 1, 1983
• Content Type: REPORT

Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/01/23: CIA-RDP84TO0171 R000100980001-4
imagery analysis report
SAM Forces in Cuba (S)
Secret
Secret
NOFORN
(See inside cover)
SC-628271/83
IAR-0051/83
JULY 1983
Copy 4 2
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SECR ETI
NOF
SAM FORCES IN CUBA (S)
INTRODUCTION
Information on SAM alert indicators, SAM support facilities, and the SAM system associated with the
Soviet Brigade is also included. (S/WN/NOFORN)
2. The SA-2 system was first seen in Cuba in 1962 and provides defense against medium- and high-
altitude aircraft. The deployment of the SA-3 system since 1976 provides defense against low-altitude
aircraft. The acquisition of the SA-6 and SA-9 mobile systems within the last two years has increased
Cuba's tactical air defense capabilities. (S/WN/NOFORN)
provides a summary of the organization, location, and strength of Cuban SAM forces as of
(GUIDELINE) and SA-3 (GOA) missile systems supplemented by the SA-6 (GAINFUL) and SA-9 (GASKIN)
mobile missile systems and the SA-7 (GRAIL) man-portable, shoulder-launched missile system. This report
1. The Cuban air defense system includes a network of SAMs consisting primarily of the SA-2
DESCRIPTION
3. Five SAM brigades have been identified in Cuba' (Figure 1 and Table 1). Western SAM Brigade
One and Western SAM Brigade Two are headquartered at Bejucal Barracks and Headquarters East (BE
Organization of SAM Forces
and Managua SAM Support Brigade Number 2 respectively, and are de-
ployed to defend the Havana area. Central SAM Brigade One is headquartered at Santa Clara Air Defense
Headquarters Central Sector and is deployed to defend the Santa Clara and Cienfuegos
areas of central Cuba. Central SAM Brigade Two, previously designated as Western SAM Brigade Three, is
headquartered at Matanzas and provides air defense for the Matanzas area of northern Cuba. The Eastern
SAM Brigade, the only SAM brigade on the eastern half of the island, is headquartered at Holguin and
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Location and Strength of SAM Forces
4. A Cuban SA-2 battalion contains six launchers, and an SA-3 battalion contains three four-rail
launchers. The unit composition of a Cuban SAM Brigade varies.' All five brigades contain the SA-2
system; however, only Western Brigades One and Two, near Havana, contain the SA-3 system. On F
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the highest concentration of occupied SAM sites was in the Havana area, where units
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defends Holguin Airfield and the surrounding areas.
Western SAM Brigade One were deployed at five SA-2 sites and three SA-3 sites, and units of Western
SAM Brigade Two were deployed at three SA-2 sites and six SA-3 sites. Units of Central SAM Brigade One
occupied six SA-2 sites, units of Central SAM Brigade Two occupied four SA-2 sites, and units of the
Eastern SAM Brigade occupied four SA-2 sites. The operational strength of the five SAM brigades onL
was 22 deployed SA-2 battalions and nine deployed SA-3 battalions. In the Western SAM
Brigade One area, an SA-2 battalion was partially field deployed with an SA-3 battalion at Mariel SAM Site
Dual SA-2 SA-3 A30-02 on (Figure 2); however, by only the SA-3 battalion was
present, thereby reducing the overall count to 21 deployed SA-2 battalions. Two Cuban SAM battalions
have frequently been deployed simultaneously at a single SAM site. When this occurs, one battalion
usually occupies the equipment positions and the second battalion is field deployed adjacent to the site
(Figure 3). This probably occurs when battalions are being rotated or when battalions are deployed for
purposes of training or equipment checkout. This practice indicates that Cuban SAM forces maintain
additional SAM battalions, in excess of those usually seen deployed, which are capable of operational
deployment. On countrywide coverage of0 two SA-2 sites contained two battalions; at one site,
the second battalion was in the travel mode, and at the other site, the second battalion was field
deployed adjacent to the occupied site. At several other sites, a single SAM battalion was partially
deployed outside the site to allow for site renovation.
SAM Alert Indicators
5. The routine readiness level at an occupied SA-3 site is one launcher with four missiles, one
launcher with two missiles, and one empty launcher (Figure 4). Four missiles on each of the three SA-3
launchers indicates a full alert posture. The missile-to-launcher ratio cannot be used to determine the
alert status of the SA-2 system. At an occupied SA-2 site, all six launchers are frequently loaded during
periods of routine readiness (Figure 5); however, because of missile maintenance and preparation,
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SECRET SPOKE IAR-0051/83
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several launchers occasionally are empty during periods of routine readiness. The deployment of
antiaircraft artillery (AAA) at an SA-2 site is the only imagery-derived indicator of an heightened alert.
(S/WN/NOFORN)
SAM Support Facilities
6. Cuban SAM forces maintain a number of support facilities. Four facilities-Bejucal SAM Support
Facility Calabazar SAM Support Area Santis o de Las Vegas Support
Facility SAM and Torrens Missile Support Facility SAM Figure 6)-and the
brigade headquarters at Bejucal Barracks and Headquarters East and Managua SAM Support Brigade
Number 2 provide support for the missile systems in Western SAM Brigades One and Two. All six facilities
support the SA-2 systems, and all except the Calabazar and Managua facilities provide support for the SA-
3 systems. The onsite support facilities at unoccupied Matanzas SAM Site South-Southeast A18-2
provide support for the SA-2 systems in Central SAM Brigade Two. Support for the SA-2 missile
systems in Central SAM Brigade One is provided by two installations identified on Santa
Clara SAM Support Facility which is under construction and Cienfuegos SAM Support
Facility North a field-deployed facility which possibly serves as a temporary equipment
storage area. Holguin Airfield SAM Support Facility supports the SA-2 missile operations
of the Eastern SAM Brigade. Depot-level maintenance for all the SA-2 systems in Cuba is provided by San
Jose de Las Lajas Repair and Storage Depot (S/WN/NOFORN)
Mobile Air Defense Systems
7. Mobile SAM systems have been identified with Cuban forces during the past two years. The SA-6
missile system was first seen at Cardenas Military Camp and Ammunition Storage Area in
December 1981. The only two SA-6 sites, Cardenas SA-6 Site Northwest and Cardenas
SAM Site A01-2 were identified in early 1982 and remained occupied through the
summer and early fall of 1982. SA-6 equipment was seen on at Bejucal SAM Support Facility. As of
five SA-6 battalions, with each battalion containing four transporter-erector-launchers (TELs),
had been identified. The subordination of these five SA-6 battalions is not known. (S/WN/NOFORN)
8. The association of the SA-9 system with Cuban forces was confirmed on imagery of
Three SA-9 TELs were at San Pedro Military Training Area as part of a self-propelled
antiaircraft (SPAA) battery. This is the only SA-9 unit identified with Cuban forces. (S/WN/NOFORN)
9. The only imagery-derived evidence of the presence of SA-7 system is the infrequent observation
of SA-7 firing positions in various parts of the country. (S/WN/NOFORN)
Soviet Brigade SAM System
10. The SA-9 system is the only SAM system associated with the Soviet Brigade in Cuba. An SA-9
battery (four TELs) was identified with the Brigade at Santiago de Las Vegas Military Camp 2
in April 1980 and has since been seen at San Pedro Military Training Area and Mariel Training
Center and AAA School Granma Base The SA-9 battery is part of an SPAA battalion which
provides the Soviet forces in Cuba with its brigade-level air defense assets. (S/WN/NOFORN)
was used in the preparation of this report. (S/WN/NOFORN)
DOCUMENT
1. DIRNSA. Various TAG Series, CUZ ZDEF ZMSL ZORG ZTNG, Cuba from 1982 through April 1983.
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IAR-0118/80, Cuban SAM Forces (5), Aug 80 (TOP SECRET CODEWORDS/NOFORN)
Comments and queries regarding this report are welcome. They may be directed to
Third World Forces Division, Imagery Exploitation Group, NPIC,
SC-628271183 SECRET
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SECRETI
A OCCUPIED SA-2 SITE
? OCCUPIED SA-3 SITE
? UNOCCUPIED SA-6 SITE
0 50 100
I I
NAUTICAL, MILES
CARDENAS
SA-6 SITE NW
SITE A01-2
(Items keyed to Figure 1) This table in its entirety is classified SECRET
2 WESTERN
Nadi 1
Table 1.
Occupied SA-2 and SA-3 Missile Sites in Cuba as of
Geographic
Coordinates
SA-2 Sites
1
Alquizar SAM Site
22-49-26N
A30-2
082-38-37W
2
Guanajay SAM Site
22-57-03N
082-38-26W
La Salud SAM Site
22-53-OBN
A042
082-24-42W
Punta Ballenatos SAM
23-04-42N
Site A26-2
082-29-49W
SA-3 Sites
5
Mariel SAM Site Dual
23-00-44N
SA-2 SA-3 A30-2
082.48-48W
Mariel SA-3 SAM Site
22-59-55N
East Alb-3
082-44-25W
Punta Brava SAM Site
23-01-18N
A30-2
082-31-35W
SA-2 Sites
8
Campo Florido SAM Site
23-09-17N
A07-2
082-02-22W
La Catalina SAM Site
22-58-1 BIN
A34-2
082-00.11 W
23-09-21 N
082-14-42W
SA-3 Sites
11
Guanabo SAM Site
23-09-24N
A12-3
082-08-30W
12
Guara SAM Site A29-2
22-48-42N
082-13-40W
Guira de Melena SAM
22-49-19N
Site A36-3
082-30-24W
La Habana SAM Fort
23-08.55N
de la Cabana A03-2
082-20-26W
La Habana SAM Site
23.01-37N
Fontanar A01-3
082-24-31W
SA-2 bn partially field deployed
for site renovation on
SA-2 bn partially field de to ed
for site renovation on
FAN SONG E radar present on
travel mode on
FAN SONG F present; two
SA-2 bns. one field deployed
SECRET
SA-2 Sites
17
SA-2 Sites
23
SA-2 Sites
27
Managua SAM Site
AD5-2
Cienfuegos Field De-
ployed SAM Site 4
Constancia SAM Site
A10-2
Punta Movida SA-2
SAM Site A20-02
Ranchuelo SAM Site
A33-2
Santa Clara SAM Site
A34-2
Santa Clara SAM Site
North
Matanzas SAM Site
A04-2
Matanzas SAM Site
A36-2
Matanzas SAM Site
East 2 Al OA-2
Matanzas SAM Site
la Congo A18 A02
Holguin SA-2 Site
Piedras
Holguin SAM Site el
Coco
Holguin SAM Site
Southeast Al 4-2
Holguin SAM Site SSW
THE BAHAMAS
Geographic
Coordinates
22-59-35N
082-16-02W
22-06-15N
080-30-19W
22-1421 N
080-30-32W
22-03-50N
080-27-12W
22-23-50N
080-1 0-02W
22-28-59N
079-59-54W
22-33.45N
079-55-30W
23-04-57N
081-33-28W
23-02-58N
081-21-17W
23-02-DON
081-2B-22W
22-58-50N
081-34-00W
20-55-51 N
076-13-43W
20-51-02N
076-20-55W
20-48-30N
076-13-07W
20-46-05N
076-17-07W
SA-2 bn partially field
deployed for site renova-
(9
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