DOLLAR COST OF SOVIET MILITARY OPERATIONS IN AFGHANISTAN

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP96R01136R003100080030-5
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 3
• Document Creation Date: December 20, 2016
• Document Release Date: May 16, 2007
• Sequence Number: 30
• Publication Date: June 12, 1981
• Content Type: REPORT

Approved For Release 2q
f Soviet Military Operations in Afghanistan
1. OSR's dollar estimate of Soviet military operations in
Afghanistan is based on a previous and more detailed assessment
of the ruble cost of Soviet activities. We have done our estimate
in rubles because that is the best measure of the burden to the
Soviets of their operations in Afghanistan. A dollar estimate of
such Soviet activities is useful only for comparison with the US.
The comparison should be used carefully because the relatively
high dollar wages credited to Soviet soldiers significantly affects
the total figure. This methodology is consistent with our other
dollar estimates of Soviet defense activities. (C)
2. The estimated cost of Soviet military operations in
Afghanistan in 1980, expressed in 1980 dollars, is approxi-
mately 2.7 billion. This dollar estimate represents what it
would cost, using US wages and prices, to man and operate a
force of the same size and weapons inventory as the Soviets
had in Afghanistan in 1980. This estimate includes the cost
of pay and allowances for the estimated 115,000 Soviet troops
committed* to operations in Afghanistan, the costs of opera-
tion and maintenance of equipment, and construction. 25X1
3. We estimate that about $1.7 billion, or 64 percent of
the total, are incremental costs directly associated with the
invasion of Afghanistan--that is those costs over and above
normal peacetime spending.
* Forces committed to Afghanistan include all Soviet forces inside
Afghanistan as well as those in the adjacent military district which
are supporting operations in country or appear to be at a higher state
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6R01 136R003100080030-5
4. Other military costs which have not yet been reflected in
military outlays can be attributed to operations in Afghanistan.
These include the value of the weapons and supplies for the Afghan
Army, of Soviet equipment damaged or destroyed, and of ammunition
expended. We have no evidence that the Soviets have increased
defense production to compensate for equipment losses in, or trans-
fers to,,* Afghanistan.
Defense Economics Branch
OSR/ME/DE
(2)
 Approved For Release P007/05/16: CIA-RDP96Rg1136R003100080030-5
SUBJECT: Dollar Cost of Soviet Military OPerations in Afghanistan
Original - I0ER
1-CME
1 - ME/DA
1 - ME/DI
1 - ME/DT
1 - ME/AS
1 - ME/DE Chrono
1 - F/G
SWAC
OSR/ME/DE:C
112 June 1981:
0
Approved For Releas('