ESTIMATED STRENGTH OF CUBAN MILITARY CONTINGENT IN ANGOLA

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP87M01152R000500640018-3
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: December 22, 2016
• Document Release Date: March 10, 2010
• Sequence Number: 18
• Publication Date: October 24, 1985
• Content Type: MEMO

Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/03/11: CIA-RDP87MO1152R000500640018-3
i v\~tEtic~ OLL 85-3278
CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY
j J Office of Legislative Liaison
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Telephone: [phone]
28 Oct 1985
TO: Mr. Stephen R. Weissman
Subccrmittee on Africa
Committee on Foreign Affairs
HniiaP of RP= rPsPntr3 i'PS
Washington, D.C. 20515
This should cover your request. Sorry
about the delay - our team did not remanber
your asking for the data.
'Liaison Division
Office of Legislative Liaison
FORM 1533 POBSOLETE
REVIOUS
3-79 EDITIONS
Distribution:
Orig. - Addressee (w/enc)
1 - OLL Record V1
1 - OLL Chrono (w/o enc)
1 - JPG Chrono (w/enc)
LD/OLLdpt (28 Oct 85)
Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/03/11: CIA-RDP87MO1152R000500640018-3
 Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/03/11: CIA-RDP87M01152R000500640018-3
SECRET I
24 October 1985
MEMO
SUBJECT: Estimated Strength of Cuban Military Contingent in Angola
1. In addition to combat troops, Cuba provides military advisers,
instructors, specialists, and technicians to support the Angolan armed
e following estimates include both the combat troops in ground force
brigades, air defense personnel and pilots as well as estimates for
advisory and technical support personnel: F--]
Cuban Military Strength Estimates
1975
3,000
1976
20,000
1977
15,000
1978
15,000
1979
20,000
1980
20,000
1981
25,000
1982
27,000
1983
30,000
1984
35,000
1985
35,000
2. After the initial Cuban buildup following independence in
November 1975 that helped to secure the MPLA in power, there was a
modest decline in Cuban strength as Angolan security needs temporarily
lessened. In the late 1970s, following South African raids, there was
a strengthening of the Cuban presence in southern Angola and in 1981,
following South Africa's Operation "Protea", the Cubans again
augmented their forces in Angola. The last substantial augmentation
of Cuban forces followed the battle of Cangamba in August 1983 when
Havana responsed to Angolan requests for more assistance.
Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/03/11: CIA-RDP87M01152R000500640018-3