FOREIGN COMPUTER CAPABILITIES

• Document Type: FOIA
• Collection: FOIA Collection
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 0005577292
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: U
• Document Page Count: 9
• Document Creation Date: June 24, 2015
• Document Release Date: June 29, 2011
• Case Number: F-2010-01671
• Publication Date: September 25, 1969

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 Foreign Computer Capabilities
The USSR and the East European Communist countries are
estimated to have a total of somewhat less than 7,000
digital computers. About 700 of these are in the East
European countries and the USSR is estimated to have
.5,000-6,000 units. Recently, the USSR.has increased imports
of digital computers, especially those designed for data
processing uses, but the imported computers make up only a
small portion of the total Soviet computer inventory. More
than half of the computers in the East European countries are
imported Western models and about a third are Soviet models.
Poland, East Germany, Czechoslovakia, and more recently
Hungary have produced a few different small models comparable
to some Western models produced in,about 1961. Poland has
been the most successful with domestic models comprising
about 70% of their estimated total of about 180-200 computers.
East Germany also has begun production of a domestic computer
comparable to the IBM 1410. Czechoslovakia still appears to
be in the initial stages of producing a licensed version of
the GE - Bull 140, and Rumania's acquisition and planned
licensed production of the French IRIS-50 has not yet begun.
The best computers in Eastern Europe, . including. some third
generation models from the US, are those imported from the
Free World under COCOM regulations.
Most of the computers in the USSR are of rather limited
capability and, in spite of their relatively large numbers,
they represent only a modest total computing power. From
the standpoint of support to advanced nuclear weapons
developments, the most important known Soviet model is the
BESM-6 which provides arithmetic speeds near those of the
CDC 6400 but which has overall.capabilities closer to those.
of the CDC 3600. The Soviets are capable, at least on a
laboratory basis, of building a few computers comparable to
the CDC 6600 and they may have a few such computers which
have not been revealed for security reasons. The Soviets
are making strong efforts to increase rapidly the numbers of
computers available and to make better computers and related.
equipment. Two new series of computers intended to be
compatible with the IBM 360 models have been announced. One
series, called the ASVT, uses printed circuits to provide
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 computers with capabilities roughly comparable to the IBM
360/30 and 360/40. The other series on which only fragmentary
information is available, is called the RYAD series and
reportedly will employ integrated circuits. The RYAD series
is intended to serve as a basic for standardizing data
processing efforts among the Soviet Bloc countries. Various
East European countries are to cooperate in supplying parts
and software for the RYAD series. Announced plans to have
production of the RYAD series in 1970 indicates that proto-
type models comparable to small- to medium- scale models in
the IBM 360 or ICL.series 4 probably have already been built.
The East European countries could probably achieve
limited production of a few types of small third generation
computers in the next few years, but their research and
industrial bases probably are too limited to support a
continuing progression of good, serially-produced models.
The main needs for computers in the East European countries
within the' next few years probably will be for models at or
below the IBM 360/50 in capabilities although some larger
computers might be desired for use in time sharing systems.
It is doubtful that any of the East European countries will,
in the near future, undertake any developments of very large
fast models like those usually associated with the design of
advanced nuclear weapons. Even if Soviet efforts to
establish cooperative developments are successful, these
countries probably will still continue to seek Free World
computers and production technology.
There is no positive information on the digital computers
in any Soviet military systems nor on the computers. actually
used in Soviet development of nuclear weapons and delivery
systems. It is doubtful that even these priority programs
have.involved computers as sophisticated as those used in some
US applications. Soviet nuclear, missile, and space successes
indicate, however, that they have been able to meet their
needs in past developments. It is believed they will be able
to continue to provide more and better computers to satisfy
future military needs, but the overall Soviet computer
capabilities probably will continue to be well below those
of the US for the next several years. .
With a total of about 4,520 computers, including 49
 large scale machines, France is among the European leaders
in the use of computers. French companies have developed
a few models of general purpose computers and several special
purpose types, but most of the successful production models
have been licensed versions of US designs. Economic problems
forced the merger of France's largest computer company with
the US General Electric Company to form the GE-Bull company.
In efforts to gain an independent computer capability,
the French Government participated in formation of a
consortium of French companies under Plan Calcul. This
group has displayed a prototype model, the IRIS-50, which
is comparable to the IBM 360/40, but planned production has
not yet been achieved. Successful production under Plan
Calcul has involved licensed versions of computers designed
by Scientific Data Systems of the US. Plan Calcul has
.publicized intentions to develop very large scale computers
competitive with the largest and fastest US models. The
main quantative needs in France, however, are for smaller
types and economic considerations could prevent'Plan Calcul
from making any significant number of large machines.
In spite of news statements to the. contrary, France
probably has enough large computers to support the design
of refined nuclear weapons, provided they can supply adequate
.programs and make efficient use of computers installed
outside as well as inside nuclear facilities. Among the large
scale computers installed in France are several CDC 6600, CDC
6400, CDC 3600, IBM 7094, and Univac 1108 models, as well as
.an I3.11 7030 model. French concerns like Electronic Marcel
Dassault also have demonstrated abilities to make special
purpose computers for airborne applications.
France's computer capabilities'probably will continue
to involve the use of some US designs and some US parts for
the next several years. Efforts are underway to undertake
the development of a super computer in a cooperative of
French, British, and German companies. This approach could
succeed eventually but probably not for several years due to
difficulties in establishing the appropriate combination of
efforts.
In the development, production, and application of
 computers, West Germany is Europe's leader. West Germany
is a leading center for com,.)uter production by subsidiaries
of US companies as well as,by German companies. One of the
leading German companies which produces licensed versions
of the RCA Spectra 70 series, also encompasses facilities
of Zuse KG, which was Germany's first computer company. West
German computer capabilities are further apparent in the
TR 140 model made by AEG r'eiefun__en. This model, first
delivered in 1965, is co:_petitive with all but the very
.largest and fastest US models. West Germany also maintains
a strong industrial research base that supports the
continuing strength of their computer capabilities.
West Germany's present total of more than 5,700 compouter
installations, including 55 large scale models, is growing
rapidly. These assets along with their ability to provide
new, large scale computers as needed would be more than
adequate to support the development of advanced types of
nuclear weapons. Past broad experience in building computers
for control applications and a variety of special purpose
computers for military uses should also enable West Germany
to readily supply computers suitable for use as on-line
components of weapons delivery systems.
Japan's past computer capabilities have been based largely
on US technology. Other than IB11 Japan, the computers
produced by 5 of the 6 Japanese manufacturers have been based
on designs licensed by US companies. Even the independent
company, Fujitsu Limited, employs some circuits of US design
origin as well as some licensed designs for peripheral devices.
Currently Japan is equal to the leading European countries in
making and using computers. The Japanese companies also are
rapidly moving away from a technical dependence on the US
although economic considerations probably will cause them to
continue many licensing and cross-licensing arrangements with
US companies. Foreign models, mostly US, make up about half
the estimated total of 4,575 computers in japan. The number
of computers installed is being e.xpanded.rapidly but there
is a continuing decline in the portion of foreign computers in
the total inventory. In the development and production of
circuits and components, Japan is superior to other non-US
Free World countries, and is an important supplier of many of
the advanced components and circuits used by US computer
 LT
companies.
The Japanese government supports and protects the
country's thriving computer industry. In addition to giving
Japanese products preferential treatment in domestic markets,
the government also supports some advanced development .
projects. An example is the very large computer currently
being developed by a consortium of the Fujitsu, Nippon
Electric, and Hitachi Companies. These companies are fully
capable of developing and building large fast domestic
models that would be suitable for use in nuclear weapon design
although the present large computer project appears directed
more toward time sharing problems. Other large domestic
models like the NEAC 2200/700 and the FACOM 230/60 also could
be used for large scientific problems like those in nuclear
weapons programs. Experience gained in the production of
highly reliable computers for military systems, such as those
being built in cooperation with the Hughes Company for the
air defense system, also enhance Japanese abilities for
providing good computers for other military systems.
Japanese companies are aggressively pressing the
expansion of foreign markets for their . computers,. including
increased emphasis on sales to the USSR and East Europe .
Communist countries as well as continuing sales to Communist
China. With increased freedom-from US restrictions due to
licensed designs, Japan could become an important source of
advanced computers and 'related technical assistance for less
well developed countries.
Israel currently has a total of 110-120 digital computers.
These include such large imported models as the CDC 6400
at the Israeli Ministry of Defense, one at the Hebrew University,
and two large, domestically developed, Golem I models at the
Weizman Institute of Science. The complex of the t:;'o Golem
computers provides about the equivalent cosputin power of
one of the large computers like the CDC 6600 model now used
for US designs of advanced nuclear warheads. Israel appears
to have available sufficient mathematical talent for providing
the programs and codes needed to use computers in advanced
weapons designs. A faster, large scale computer, the Golem
II, now being developed is scheduled for completion in 1970.
 Israel's only commercial computer company, Elbit
Computers in Haifa, has produced a few models of specialized
computers and a small general purpose model called the
Elbit-100. Fifty or so of the Elbit-100 computers have been
sold, mostly in Europe. Elbit is trying to expand its
computer production abilities through licensing and cooperative
arrangements with US and West European companies. These
production.efforts probably will concentrate on small computers
and on ancillary equipment for computers for the next several
years. Israel also has.discussed possible licenses of the
design of-the Golem computers for production in other countries.
Any construction of large scale computers in Israel probably
will be confined to laboratory type efforts for the next
several years. Using some imported specialized components
.and test instruments, Israel probably could now design and
build a few computers for on-line use in missile systems.
For economic reasons, Israel is likely to continue to depend
on imports to satisfy most of its needs for general purpose
computers. There probably will be a continuing emphasis on
expanding capabilities for the design and application of
computers. Israel could become a major center for the
development of software for new computers including contractual
developments for foreign manufacturers. Israel might also
attempt to satisfy some computer needs by providing foreign
manufacturers with designs and software in return for hardware.
India has had modest computer research and development
projects at the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research and
at the Bhabha Atomic Research Center, but most Indian
applications have depended on imported computers. The CDC
3600 model at the Tata Institute is one of the largest and
fastest of India's computers. No descriptive details are
available on the computer developed by the Bhabha Atomic
Research Center, which was to be delivered as a domestic
production model in 1970. India also has made some computer
ancillary devices under. license and has nogotiated with US
and European companies for licenses to produce electronic
.components and circuits for both domestic use and export.
Several Indian facilities have received technical advice and
also a few models of computers and related devices from the
USSR. The computers and computational talent at such
facilities as the Tata Institute probably would be adequate
to support very modest nuclear weapon development efforts
 only at the expense of other projects.
India is pressing for the development of a domestic
production capability, largely based on foreign designs,
for electronic components, circuits, and devices. By 1980,
they could establish a capability for producing licensed
versions of small scale and some medium scale computers.
The UAR has imported a few Western computers and some
low performance Soviet models like the Minsk 2. No UAJrE
development of computers or of related equipment is known
and capabilities for the effective use of computers probably
are still dependent on foreign assistance.
COlrThIT NIST CHINA
Through imports as well as domestic production,
Communist China probably can supply computers adequate for
.high priority R&D needs related to the limited number of
strategic weapons programs they are currently estimated to
have under way. They would need more and better computers
than they are now estimated to have if they intend to
significantly increase the number and variety of simultaneous
high priority projects. The main Chinese need, at present,
probably is to gain the ability to produce appropriate types
of high quality computers in sufficient quantities to pel-;rmit
large scale deployment of new strategic weapons. Although
the Chinese have continually sought information on computer
production technology, there is no evidence that the acquisition
of large numbers of computers for general purpose uses is an
immediate goal. Purchase of more than one copy of any one
foreign model has been rare. They have, however, concentrated
on importing the most advanced types of equipment available. .
Prior to the Cultural Revolution, Communist China had developed
at least two models of large scale, transistorized computers
as well as some smaller models. One of the larger models,
the DJS 121, may have been a production prototype comparable
to some Western production models of about 1959. Another of
1. tie niodo.ts disp.Layt.!d in. e. ar I y I.9( 6 a i :~;o _in a is a Lod ha L L h(,!
Chinese were experimenting with logical organizations that
would permit the development of even more powerful computers.
Information is too fragmented for reliable quantative estimates,
 but it is believed that Chinese progress in developing and
building new computers has continued. in addition to their
value for applications, their several models of transistorized
computers indicate the existence of experience that can be
applied in exploiting and reproducing foreign developments.
Through imports.as well as other sources of technical
information, the Chinese have had access to detailed
descriptions of Free World computers that incorporate
sophisticated logical structures. On a laboratory basis,
they probably could copy logical design features of some
models, such as the British KDF-9, to build a few fairly
complex, large computers for military development projects.
They also probably can build additional copies of the large
transistorized digital computers developed by the institute
of Computation Techniques in Peking. T have :-e Chinese hanot open-
ly demonstrated capabilities for producing miniaturized,
ruggedized models of types suitable for uses in strategic
missile systems and in strategic airborne applications.
Some of the component production equipment and instruments
that have been imported from Free World countries may be aimed
at satisfying these needs. Some of the engineering design
features of the best digital and analog computing equipment
that has been imported from Japan and Western Europe could
also serve as the basis for Chinese development of computers
suitable for use in on-line strategic military systems. They
probably would need to continue imports of some special types
of components and instruments to support construction of any
very advanced computers.
Although Sweden has several hundred computers, most are
small to medium scale types. The only significant
manufacturer of computers is DATASAAB which makes the medium
scale D 21 and D 22 models. DATASAAB also has made some
small computers for airborne and industrial control
applications. Sweden has, however, been an important supplier
of peripheral devices including magnetic tape units and
punched tape equipment that are used with many foreign
computers..