SOVIET TACTICAL TRENDS SINCE THE OCTOBER 1973 WAR

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CIA-RDP05S00365R000100030001-1
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31
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March 22, 2012
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1
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April 1, 1977
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REPORT
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Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/06/11: CIA-RDP05SO0365R000100030001-1 DDI-9100-160-77 //Ov /6c - 7 7 DEFENSE INTELLIGENCE AGENCY ecse. irate . ence SOVIET TACTICAL TRENDS SINCE THE OCTOBER 1973 WAR (U) NATIONAL SECURIiY" INFORMATION Unauthorized -D sclasu'r& Subject to Criminal Sanctions j~ 4,2 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/06/11: CIA-RDP05SO0365R000100030001-1 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/06/11: CIA-RDP05SO0365R000100030001-1 SOVIET TACTICAL TRENDS SINCE THE OCTOBER 1973 WAR (U) DDI-1100-160-77 Information Cutoff Date: September 1976 NATIONAL SECURITY INFORMATION Unauthorized Disclosure Subject to Criminal Sanctions This is a Department of Defense Intelligence Document prepared by the Soviet/Warsaw Pact Division, Directorate for Intelligence Research, Defense Intelligence Agency Ground Forces/MBFR Branch, Classified by DIA 00.1 SUBJECT TO GENERtq. DECLASSIFICATION SCHEDULE OF EXECUTIVE ORDER 11652 AUTOMATICALLY DOWNGRADED AT TWO YEAR INTERVALS DECL,SSIFIED ON 31 DECEMBER 1985 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/06/11: CIA-RDP05SO0365R000100030001-1 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/06/11: CIA-RDP05SO0365R000100030001-1 SECRET (U) This study was undertaken to determine if trends in Soviet tactics since the October War have been influenced by than conflict. Analysts of the available data indicates that evolving Soviet: tactical concepts have been influenced by Soviet analysis of the war. (U) Addressees are requested to forward information which will supplement or correct this paper. Questions and comments should be referred in writing to the Defense Intelligence Agency (ATTN: DB-1B4), Washington, D.C. 20301.. Iii (Reverse Blank) SECRET Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/06/11: CIA-RDP05SO0365R000100030001-1 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/06/11: CIA-RDP05SO0365R000100030001-1 SECRET TABLE OF CONTENTS SUl24ARY ----------------------------- 1. INTRODUCTION --------------------------------- 2. SOVIET ANALYSIS OF THE OCTOBER 1973 WAR -------- a. Command and Control ---------------------- b. The Defense -------------------------------- C. Offensive Operations ------------------- d. Attrition --------------------------------- e. Surprise --------- __ _ _______ f. Conclusions Regarding the War ------------- 3. SOVIET TRENDS SINCE THE OCTOBER 1973 WAR a. Equipment and Organization --------------- b. Command and Control ------------------------- C. Offensive Doctrine ---------- -_______~-_ 4. CONCLUSIONS ------------------------------ LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS Figure 1. The SA-s CAM /CATtjt:ttt .s ~~r??:~a a '06e (STRAIGHT FLUSH) -------------- Page vii 1 1 1 1 2 7 8 8 9 9 15 15 20 Page Destroyed Israeli armor outside Suez city ------ Egyptian heliborne operation -------------------- The 203mm howitzer, M-1921M and the 240mm .6. The towed D-30 (122mm) and the self-propelled ju 122mm gun, M-1974 ------------- - 11 -------------- 7. The BM-21 rocket launcher on the URAL 375 truck- 12 8. The 152mm self-propelled gun, M-1973 ------- ---- 12 9. The SA-9 SAM (GASKIN) ------------------------- 13 10. The ZSU-23-4 -------------------------- 13 --------- 11. Soviet ponton bridging -___-______ 14 12. The BTR-50PK mineclearer and the GMZ armored tracked mechanical minelayer --------- 14 13. Combined arms operations ----------------------- 14. Soviet infantry attacking a strong defensive 16 position --------- ------------------------- 18 15. Reconnaissance is vital ------------- v (Reverse Blank) SECRET Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/06/11: CIA-RDP05SO0365R000100030001-1 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/06/11: CIA-RDP05S00365R000100030001-1 SECRET (u) Soviet tacttcat .trends since the Octobet 1973 coat .,.teSeeet Soviet obeetvati.ons oS -tha.t con6e.ict. Soviet wvi rings indicate that the coat nesu?.ted .ut a teevatuat.ion e6 doc.ttinat concerts resat tt ng in the i.etea.tn.irg 06 some tesaons and the -Leemphascs oS others. No rcccdica.t changes in Soviet ,tacticae pnocedutes have. o.ccwvted, but pe:t-aietent eSSonta have been made to 6wthet .irnptove combined anma openationa, with the tank. nemain.ing as the backbone o6 g.wund uan6aie. (u) Soviet wnLtings on the wa,t contain 6actuat c.ivwns and omit key data. One may only speca&tte why this L6 so. (U) --The-Oc to ben-ttr 010tuttiratzildti1q. the . e o, a c.tt o6 cwvtenz soveei aocct.cne conzcnues to be (ubntd Wa,t 11. Tl e ,[ c e East an did not have the dumatic .impact on Soviet 6thategic and tactica.t concerts that it had in some western countni.es. vii (Reverse Blank) SECRET Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/06/11: CIA-RDP05S00365R000100030001-1 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/06/11: CIA-RDP05S00365R000100030001-1 SECRET SOVIET TACTICAL TRENDS SINCE THE OCTOBER 1973 WAR (U) 1. INTRODUCTION (U) Soviet .analysis of the Middle East War provides a relevant framework for the examination of Soviet tactical trends since October of 1973. These tactical trends have coincided with certain equipment and organizational changes designed to strengthen Soviet offensive capabilities. 2. SOVIET ANALYSIS OF THE OCTOBER 1973 WAR a. Command and Control (S) The War reinforced Soviet thinking concerning the increased demands placed on c wmanders.tu=ensure more effective command and cuntril. Improvements in command and control technology include t'ie more rapid collection and evaluation of data. This in turn accele.?ates the decision- making process making timely communications critical. Many of these improvements can be attributed to both the improved automation of troop control and .pure powerful high-speed communications at various control. echelons. The Soviets - - Process or seeking improvements in these areas. . (S) A fundamental principle noted by the Soviets was the strict centralization of command and control of Israeli, Syrian, and Egyptian ground, air, and naval operations. (.') The Soviets also recognized the need for command posts and other control facilities to be brought closer to units in contact. b. The Defense (U) The wa_ revealed to the Soviets the increased capabilities and lethality of defensive weapons systems. Soviet concern was best described by Marshal Grechko: It should be noted that modern defensive systems, in connection with the appear- ance of powerful fire weapons in the in- ventories, have become more stable. This is caused primarily by the fact that the main striking force during an offensive i ~tCRET Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/06/11: CIA-RDP05S00365R000100030001-1 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/06/11: CIA-RDP05SO0365R000100030001-1 .SECRET operation--tanks--has become more vulnerable, while their use on the battlefield has become more complex. The continuing process of im- proving antitank weapons has imposed grave tasks for science and technology. These tasks have to do with substantially improving the survivability of tanks, troops, and developing more effective means and methods that would be reliable in neutralizing antitank defense measures. (U) Other Soviet writers have commented exten- sively on the greater densities of antitank systems, the increased role of antitank guided missiles (ATCMs) and helicopters with an antitank role, and he greater depth of troop and weapons echelonment. (U) The Soviets believe that the backbone of a de- fensive system is its antitank weapons--the primary threat to Soviet offensive doctrine. (S) Another acne. r .,? V"- a,.c_-_ commented upon by the Soviets was the effectiveness of air dnf n eyn'GWg i- statfrpo ns antj as mo _e systems ,in offensive operations. Surface-to-air missiles, such as the SA-6 GAINFUL (Figure 1) played a key role in countering and, temporarily, neutralizing the strong Israeli air attacks. The massive employment of a variety of air defense weapons by Arab forces restricted opera- tions of hostile aircraft at low altitudes, and forced them to higher altitudes where they became vulnerable to other air defense weapons. C. Offensi3e Operations (S) It must also be emphasized that the Soviets, while impressed with the increased lethality of defensive systems,. also recognized the increased capabilities for the offensive, a point frequently neglected by Western analyses of Soviet "lessons learned." Light antitank weapons and mobile antiaircraft artillery (AAA) and surface-tu-air missile (SAM) systems greatly contributed to the rapi.J Egyptian advances early in the war. These lessons have not been lost on the Soviets who, while concerned over antitank defenses, are continuing to concen- trate on perfecting their offensive doctrine. A recurrent 2 SECRET Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/06/11: CIA-RDP05SO0365R000100030001-1 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/06/11: CIA-RDP05SO0365R000100030001-1 SECRET Figure 1. The SA 6 SAM (GAINFUL) am' ? ,tar (STRAIGHT FLUSH). (U) 3 SECRET Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/06/11: CIA-RDP05SO0365R000100030001-1 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/06/11: CIA-RDP05SO0365R000100030001-1 SECRET theme of Marshal of the Soviet Union Kulikov (Commander in Chief, Warsaw Pact), General Shkidrhrnko(Deputy Commander for Combat Readiness, Groups of Soviet Forces Germany - GSFC) and others is that further improvements in military technology will lead to further increases in the maneuver, firepower and the striking power of troops. (S) Regarding offensive operations In the Middle East War, Soviet writers showed g&eat Interest in combined arms operations, that is, the closely coordinated efforts of the missile, tank, motorized rifle, artillery, and com- bat support units. The Soviets criticized Israeli and Arab offensive execution early in the conflict. Israeli tanks were initially committed without infantry and artillery support and suffered heavy losses. Arab offensive ground operations at the beginning of the war were conducted on a broad front, without established plans to continue the advance toward key objectives along main axes of attack. While the Soviets credited the Egyptians with a brilliant water-crossing operation, they condemned them for failure to follow up. With this exception, the crossing was a classic reflection of Soviet doctrine. The operation was well organized, the enemy on the far bank was neutralized at the out.,;-L, important multiple sites were secured by forward detachrents. and crossine equipment was skillfully used by the attacking forces Figure 2. Egyptians crossing the Suez Canat. (U) 4 SECRET Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/06/11: CIA-RDP05SO0365R000100030001-1 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/06/11: CIA-RDP05S00365R000100030001-1 SECRET (S) In their analysis of the war, the Soviets examined each component in the combined arms team: The Soviets believe tnat the Middle East War did not diminish the role of the tank: There has been no decrease in the importance of tanks; in fact, their importance has in- creased. Moreover, they cite numerous U.S. and West German sources in support of that conclusion. Whereas initially Western writers ?:rretc that the theory of tank warfare should be revised, the Soviets emphasize that current Western military opinion acknowledges the leading role of armor on the modern battlefield. Moreover, the Soviets now term earlier Western writings questioning the importance of the tank as radical judgments. (2) Artillery The Soviets were impressed by the effprriva_ mess of employment of Arab artillery to neutralize enemy defenses. They belie-e that this disrupted Israeli de- fenses and reduced Arab casualties. The Mid East War reinforced the Soviet view that well-plduned aerial and ground reconnaissance is vital to successful offensive operations. They further con- cluded that air crews should be trained to conduct recon- naissance missions under the most difficult circumstances, and that aircraft flying behind enemy lines should have at least a minimum of intelligence-gathering equipment. To further aid the ground force offensive, enemy antitank forces and possible ambush sites must be identified by reconnaissance. (4) Lifantry Soviet commentary on the use of infantry during the war concentrates on its role as an important component of he combined arms team. One of its primary 5 SECRET Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/06/11: CIA-RDP05S00365R000100030001-1 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/06/11: CIA-RDP05SO0365R000100030001-1 SECRET. uses was to prbvide support for armor in the elimination of antitank weapons. The Soviets stress the losses to Israeli armor wlien it was not properly s=rpportcd by infai.try (Figure 3). Figu'e 3. Destroyed Israeli armor outs de Suez city. (Ul 6 SECRET Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/06/11: CIA-RDP05SO0365R000100030001-1 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/06/11: CIA-RDP05SO0365R000100030001-1 SECRET The Soviets also noted the frequent use of heliborne troops in special purpos./diversionary roles. Both sides used commando detachments and groups to disrupt command and control and seize key terrain (Figure 4). Figure 4. Egyptian heliborne operwinn. IU) Soviet writers were impressed by the uses and potential of helicopters, particularly in the antitank role and As a carrier for special purpose/diversionary forces. Surprisingly, Soviet analysis of the Israeli employment of helicopters in the antitank role is inaccurate. According to numerous Soviet sources, the Israelis frequently employed helicopters against armor, when in fact this was not the case. Soviet interest in the helicopters as an antitank weapon is, however, strong. . The Soviet union may have received erroneous information from the Arabs or some military theorists may be strengthening the case for a larger role for Soviet helicopters in antitank operations. d. Attrition (U) The heavy personnel and equipment losses sustained during the war were also noted. Marshal of thi Soviet Union Crechko, describing the increased comb. t 7 SECRET Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/06/11: CIA-RDP05SO0365R000100030001-1 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/06/11: CIA-RDP05SO0365R000100030001-1 SECRET capabilities of weapons, greater depth of operations and faster tempos of attack, also acknowledged the possibility of "heavy losses." (S) Significantly, in exercises since the October War, the Soviets have placed increased emphasis on their personnel replacement system. e. Surprise (U) At the 24th Party Congreas, Grechko said "...the armed forces should be capable of crushing a sneak attack, in any situation, involving nuclear or non- nuclear weapons..." In numerous writings on the initial period of war, the Soviets have often expressed concern over being taken by surprise. Events in the Middle East War seem to have exacerbated these fears. f. Conclusions Rec.i-d-ing the War (U) Soviet analysis. of the October War and their use of W,-stern critiques of the conflict clearly illus- trate contf.nuing Soviet faith in combined arms doctrine with the tr,nk providing the primary means of successfully implementing -that_doct ed-seem-- basically undistinguishable from those of the foreign Correct use of tariks (particularly with infantry, artillery, antitank weapons and air defense means) ensures the achiev,.oent of operational success, despite heavy losses; Tanks retain their ability to overcome moderndefences, especially centers of resistance, after neutralization of the antitank weapons and artillery. Success in the use of tanks is achieved by the side which acts with initiative and resourcefulness, widely employing maneuver, cooperating with aitborne landing forces and being capable of changing from one method of action to another. 8 SECRET Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/06/11: CIA-RDP05SO0365R000100030001-1 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/06/11: CIA-RDP05SO0365R000100030001-1 SECRET 3. SOVIET TRENDS SINCE THE OCTOBER 1973 WAR a. Equipment and Organization (S) At this time, it is not possible to draw any cause and effect relationships linking the Middle East War with new Soviet equipment. Since the early 1960s, Soviet generals have advocated infantry combat vehicles, self- propelled (SP) artillery and better tanks. Research and development of self-propelled artillery and the T-72 tank, however, began prior to the October War. Other events, such as the placing of the SAGGER and SWATTER ATGMs on Soviet helicopters, have occurred since the October 1973 War and have considerably augmented. Soviet antitank capa- bilities. Research and development on these systems, however, preceded the October War. .(S) Neither may we say with certainty that cer- tain post-1973 organizational changes occurred as a result of the October War. Such changes may in fact have occurred prior to 1973, but were only discovered by the West later. The correlation, however, between Soviet lessons learned from.the October War and the type of organizations desired to implement Soviet offensive doctrine is clear. Key organizational changes are as follows: (1) Infantry The addition of a motorized rifle (MR) company to tank regiments in tank divisions in GSFG increases infantry support for armor. This could be the precursor of MR battalions becoming organic to tank regiments. At any rate, the Soviets clearly perceive the need for infantry-tank teams and a high level of coordination between them. In recent years, the Soviets have added inde- pendent tank battalions (40 tanks) to the MR divisions and increased the number of tanks from 31 to 40 in the tank battalions of motorized rifle regiments (MRRs). In light of Soviet observations of the October War, the tank in- creases may have occurred to offset anticipated higher casualties. The increases also give the Soviets greater flexibility to task organize combat formations. 9 SECRET Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/06/11: CIA-RDP05SO0365R000100030001-1 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/06/11: CIA-RDP05SO0365R000100030001-1 SECRET 'Soviet artillery changes since the October War have been quantitative and qualitative. They include the reintroduction of 203mm howitzers and 240mm heavy mortars (Figure 5) and significant increases in the number of guns within motorized rifle divisions and nondivisional artil- lery regiments. A great number of. MRRs within the USSR increased their number of artillery pieces three-fold. One MRR in GSFG equipped with the BMP (infantry combat vehicle) went from six towed D-30s (122mm) to 18 SP M-1974s (122mm) suggesting that as sufficient quantities are produced, B11P regiments may have a battalion of self-propelled guns (Figure 6). The 34th artillery division in GSFG added a ..fifth regiment containing 72 multiple rocket launchers (Figure 7). The 34th also replaced one of, its towed 152mm- equipped regiments with self-propelled 152mm guns (Figure 8). Such quantitative and qualitative increases indicate a greater capability for nondivisional artillery units to provide increased allocations of artillery to support combined arms operations. 10 SECRET Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/06/11: CIA-RDP05SO0365R000100030001-1 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/06/11: CIA-RDP05SO0365R000100030001-1 SECRET Figure 6. The towed D-30 (122mm) (A) and The self-propelled 122mm gun, M-1974 (B). (U) 11 SAC ET Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/06/11: CIA-RDP05SO0365R000100030001-1 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/06/11: CIA-RDP05SO0365R000100030001-1 SECRET Figure 7. The BM-21 rocket launcher on The URAL 375 Truck. (U) 12 SECRET Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/06/11: CIA-RDP05SO0365R000100030001-1 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/06/11: CIA-RDP05SO0365R000100030001-1 SECRET Since October 1973, SA-8 GECKO missiles in limited numbers, and SA-6 GAINFUL systems have been re- placing the S-60 (57mm towed AAA). Moreover, SA-9 GASKINs (Figure 9) are being deployed at regimental level, augmenting ZSU-23-4s (Figure 10), thereby considerably in- creasing Soviet air defense capabilities. Figure 10. The ZSU?23-4. (U! 13 SECRET Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/06/11: CIA-RDP05SO0365R000100030001-1 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/06/11: CIA-RDP05SO0365R000100030001-1 SECRET (5) Engineer There are indications that the Soviets are in- creasing army and.front-level punton bridgirg by one-third (Figure 11). They are also speeding up deployment of mine- clearers (such as the BTR-50PK) and minelayers (such as the GMZ armorcd.tracked mechanical minelayer)--figure 12. UNCLASSIFIED Figure 11. Soviet ponton bridging. (U) Figure 12. The BTR-50PK mineclearer (A) and The GMZ armored track mechanical minelayer 11131. (U) 14 SECRET Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/06/11: CIA-RDP05SO0365R000100030001-1 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/06/11: CIA-RDP05SO0365R000100030001-1 SECRET b. Command and Control (S) Since October 1973, the Soviets have continued to develop an automated support system for command, control, and communications. Successful completion of such a system depends on the compatability of automatic data processing (ADP) components, software and communications. (S) Automated command support has been tested during command post and field training exercises. Thus far, the Soviets have concentrated their ADP efforts on troop control, communications and fire control. Although some steps have been taken since 1973, a fully operational automated command, control, and commi,nic:ations system is not expectcd before 1985. (S) The use of mobile signal units at most .echelonA also reflects Soviet communications, command, and-control observations of the war. c. Offensive Doctrine (S) Soviet lessons learned from the October War have not altered their basic offensive doctrine. This doctrine, centered around combined arms combat (Figure 13)_ stresses ig rates or advance by tank and combined arms units. Over the course of a campaign wnueA in yti.u.t- conditions the Soviets hope to average 60-80 K1f per day and under conventional conditions 30-50 KM per day. There are some reports that more emphasis should be placed on maneu- ver and speed in the attack, to increase rates of advance up to 120 KM per day. This is in consonance with remarks made by Marshal Kulikov, General Shkidchenkoand others. Soviet tactical emphasis since the October War mirrors Soviet analysis of that conflict and reveals efforts to make each component of their combined arms forces more viable on the modern battlefield. 15 SECRET Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/06/11: CIA-RDP05SO0365R000100030001-1 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/06/11: CIA-RDP05SO0365R000100030001-1 SECRET weapon n the combined arms concept was made clear in September 1975 by the commander-in-chief of Soviet ground forces: Despite the improvement and growth of the effectiveness of antitank weapons, tanks re- main the main strike force and mobile force of the ground forces and a powerful means capable of resolving important tasks in modern warfare. Moreover, compared with other types of combat equipment, they are the best adapted for decisive, maneuvering actions. 16 SECRET Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/06/11: CIA-RDP05SO0365R000100030001-1 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/06/11: CIA-RDP05SO0365R000100030001-1 SECRET To increase the survivability of the tank on the modern battlefield, the Soviets have placed more em- phasis on the following tactical measures by tank troops; (a) The use of smoke and high explosive fragmentation shells against ATGM gunners. artillery (b) Camouflage (c) Proper use of terrain (d) Observation (e) Speed in the attack (f) Close coordination with infantry and (2) Artillery and Air Defenses When nuclear weapons are not used to neuL, i- ize enemy defenses, the Soviets plan to rely on concen- . trated artillery fire for the suppression of antitank systems. On selected axes of advance, artillery will be concentrated -to-gi indirect re support with priority to the destruction of the enemy's -nuc-le delivery means and his antitank systems. While large amounts of artillery and air defense systems will remain under centralized control, individual batteries will be assigned to advance detachments, advance guard, and flank security elements to provide support. Since October 1973, the Soviets have placed in- creased emphasis on the use of air defense ambushes along likely avenues of approach for enemy helicopters. This em- phasis reflects Soviet concern over the tank-killing heli- copters possessed by NATO and seeks to capitalize on a major Soviet strength--great numbers of mobile and accurate air defense systems. (3) Motorized Rifle Troops Infantry-tank-artillery coordination during the initial stages of the war is one of the most persistent themes in current Soviet doctrinal writings, which also discuss some unresolved questions (such as the optimum employment of the BMP). 17 SECRET Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/06/11: CIA-RDP05SO0365R000100030001-1 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/06/11: CIA-RDP05SO0365R000100030001-1 SECRET The Soviets clearly expect to dismount :fR troops to overcome antitank dofer.ses which have not been neutralized (Figure 14). Dismounted attack drills are probably more numerous today than prior to 1973, but it must be emphasized that the Soviets continue to stress speed in the attack. Whenever it is tactically feasible, the Soviets emphasize maneuvering around strong defenses.; when this is not possible they will attack dismounted. The BMP, invulnerable to 50 caliber fire except at very close range, is ideally suited :o operate with armor in fast moving operations. It is also capable of operating independently of armor, and of supporting dismounted troops with effective antitank and antipersonnel fire. Current Soviet emphasis, however, is clearly on the organi- zation of combined infantry-tank-artillery formations. r/r Figure 14. Soviet infantry attacking a strong defensive position. (U) 18 SECRET Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/06/11: CIA-RDP05SO0365R000100030001-1 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/06/11: CIA-RDP05SO0365R000100030001-1 Reconnaissance. Although they have streRsed':the importance of: reconnaissance.'_n the-past, current',Sovietwritings reflect' .?increased? emphasis on this vital element cf' the, combined rms team While identification of,the enemy',s.:nuclear . delivery means remains the first priority . of reconnaiss'ance? troops, the location of enemy .,antitank systems is clearly cucond (Figure 15) ,Commanders are urged-to use-their reconnaissance assets to the maximum. degree, with Increasing emphasis ; being placed on locating;enemy antitank systems Soviet.,t aircrobile doctrine is'showing:signs of becoming increasingly ic;iortant.within.the'combined'arms concept. A`s "this. concept matures; it ;will give , the Soviets an increased' capability to maintain high rates of advance through use o.f sirmobile;forces to.;,sei.ze key terrain and, communi'c3tions, couaand,.andcontrol:installations.,.,dcstroy nuclear delivery means and storage sites, and generally to :, disrupt the enemy rear. area: Soviet, analysis of. heliborne opera ions during.the?October War and'the:Vietnam-conf.lict leaves no `doubt 'that they are impressed-bythe advantages of : adrmobile. operationc,',.while- being fully" cognizant: of their lismitations. Soviet airmobiie.exercises will? probably continue to?stress operations of?battalion and smaller'sized units. 19 SECRET Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/06/11: CIA-RDP05SO0365R000100030001-1 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/06/11: CIA-RDP05SO0365R000100030001-1 SECRET 4. CONCLUSIONS (U) Soviet analysis of the Middle East War is clearly reflected in tactical trends since that conflict. Soviet writings show that the war caused them to reexamine. their doctrinal concepts, to re^mphasize some lessons and to note others. . (U) While impressed with the increased complexity of modern defenses and the lethality of antitank weaponry, the Soviets were a uq ally impressed by enhanced offensive capabilities presented by mobile air defense systems and well-coordinated combined arms operations. It is in- structive to note that in the 1973 War tank gunnery de- stroyed three-to-f our times as many tanks as did antitank missiles. (U) Soviet offensive doctrine, built around the tank and envisioning high rates of advance, remains basically unchanged. There are even indications that Soviet antici- pated rates of advance may increase. (U) The Soviets have taken numerous steps to increase the viability of their armored forces and to alllou fnr anticipated losses of armored vehicles. They are stressing the nseof combined arms unsta even were then previotal , and there are clear indications that airmobile forces will be assigned a greater role in their operations. (U) Soviet writings on the war contain factual errors and omit key data. One may only speculate why this is so. (U) The 1973 war notwithstanding, the primary origin of current Soviet doctrinal thinking continues to be World War II. The Middle East War did not have the dramatic impact on Soviet strategic and tactical concepts that it had in some Western countries. 20. SECRET Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/06/11: CIA-RDP05SO0365R000100030001-1 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/06/11 : CIA-RDP05SO0365R000100030001-1 SECRET DISTRIBUTION DOD AND JOINT AGENCIES A010 AFS COL . A024 DEF NUCLEAR AGCY A085 NAT DEF UNIVERSITY A104 OSD (I)/D01 A115 OASD ISA A117 OSO (ODP&E) (2) A205 DMATC A300 JCS A310 JCS/J-3 (SP OP DIV) A315 JCS/SAGA (4) A325 JCS/J-3 A335 JCS/J-4 A340 JCS/J-5 MIL SEC A353 JSTPS AMOO OSD A009 OASD ATOM ENERGY A034 PEP SEC DEF (2) A048 DtF CIV PREP AGCY A096 NEACP A097 DIA GRP ANfCC A1OR nASn 1R4 A124 OSD NET ASSESSMENT A302 A357 A358 A360 A361 A362 A363 A368 A512 A835 A916 JCS/CHAIRMAN USDOCO AIRSOUTH USDOCO 6 ATAF USLO AAFNE USLO SACLANT USDOCOLANDSOEAST USNMR SHAPE. USRMC/NATO: USDOCOSTR.IKFR;OUTH US MIL LN 7N GER 8040 DIA/DIO 8055 DIA/DT-4B B080 DIA/SWS 8132 DIA/DE-1 8134 DIA/DE-2 B167 DIA/DT-26 B169 DIA/DT-2D .8485 DIA/IS 21 SECRET DIA (Cort'd) 6545 DIA/YP B565 DIA/DB-1F1 B_66 DIA/DB-1F2 8571 DIA/DB-4G1 8573 DIA/DB-4E1 B579 DIA/DN-2B2 85b0 DIA/DB-1B6 OPO 8581 DIA/DB-13 B583 DIA/DB-1D B584 DIA/D3-1B4 (30) B586 DIA/DB-4D1 8593 DIA/DB-1G2 B594 DIA/LAB-1F (2) B597 DIA/OB-IG1 8615 DIA/DN-2C 6631 DIA/DB-3E1 8632 DIA/DB-4G2 B722 DIA/15B-5B 8737 DIA/RDS-3B7 (LIB) B787 DIA,/DB-1F3 --n B362 DIA/DB-1B1 (5) 6363 DIP758-i 8364 DIA/DB-1B3 (2) 8563 DIA/DB-1B5 (PENT) (2) 8575 DIA/DB-1 6576 DIA/DB-1A 2644' DIA/Dd-40 8728 DIA/DB-5D B731 DIA/UB-5F 8734 DIA/0B-5E 8777 DIA/DN-281 8800 DL-1 LONDON 8859 871 8876 B87S 6980 888'. 6912 B917 B919 8.9333 3934 8878 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/06/11: CIA-RDP05SO0365R000100030001-1 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/06/11: CIA-RDP05SO0365R000100030001-1 SECRET ARMY (Cont'd) C020 DCS-MIL OPS (4) C766 OACSI-INT SUP DET C030 CH RD&A C768 OACSI-USAITAD (6) C090 USAMSSA C786 OACSI-WESTERN BR C204 TCATA C788 OACSI-SOV/EEUR Bit (5) C239 CO D 519 MI BN FLDA C419 9TH INF DIV (10) C241 FIRST US ARMY C428 OP TEST & EVAL AGCY C242 FORSCOM C454 FLD ARTY SCH C243 FIFTH US ARMY C588 DUGWAY FRV GRD C300 172ND INF BDE (AK) (3) C013 ASST SEC R/D C307 24TH INF DIV (10) C015 CHIEF OF STAFF C309 OFT N 500TH MIG CO21 DCS-LOG .-.C459 COMD-GEN STF COL (10) C043 USAMIIA C461 INFANTRY SCH (10) C061 MP SCH C463 INTEL CTR & SCH (10) C202 III CORPS C465 US MIL ACADEMY C227 101ST AIRBORNE DIV (10) C470 ARMY WAR COL C231 2ND ARM DIV (10) C500 TRADOC (10) C232 3RD ARM CAV REGT (6) C507 INSIG C235 1ST INF DIV (10) C509 BALLISTIC RES LABS C286 417TH MID C512 DARCOM C301 193RD INF BDE (CZ) (3) C515 EDGEWOOD ARSENAL C305 18TH ABN DIV (3) C523 HARRY DIAMOND LAB C348 453D MID C538 WHITE SANDS MSL RG 0392 486TH MID (STRAT C539 TRASANA C414 4TH INF DIV (1 C550 ELECTRONICS COMO C415 5TH INF DIV (M) (10) C557 USAIIC U429 151 BW R) 75TH--INF C562 TRANS SCH C460 ENGINEER SCH CS6K ARMCOM C467 MSL-MUN CEN-SCH X569 MOB EQPT R & D COMO C471 OPGRU ARMY WAR COL C587 -CMBT DEV EXPR COMO C568 AIR DEF SCH C591 FSTC (3) C623 USAFAGOS-ARMY MBR C605 JFK CTR MIL ASSIST (10) C801 SIXTH US ARMY C617 CONCEPT ANLYS AGCY (3) C234 1ST CAV DIV C619 MIA REDSTONE C417 7TH INF DIV C620 'JSASRD C513 PICATINNY ARSENAL C632 ORD CTR & SCH C535 AVIATION SYS COMO C639 CMBT & TNG DEV DIR (2) C545 FIO DRSAR-LEF C641 AVIATION SCHOOL C547 ARMY NUCLEAR AGCY C644 LOG CTR C510 AIR MOBLTY R & D LAB C646 CMBARMSCMBTDEVACTY C590 TASDC C649 SIGNAL SCHOOL C306 82ND ABN DIV (10) C667 IMA/CMBT & TNG DEV C683 ASA C697 TEST & EVAL COMO C715 ARMOR CTR (20) 0033 STRATANALSUPPCRU C759 COLL DET 'JSAINTA 0042 NAVFACENGCOM C763 OACSI-S & T DIV D159 NAVAIRDEVCEN C765 OACSI-IOSD D202 NAVWARCOL 22 SECRET Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/06/11: CIA-RDP05SO0365R000100030001-1 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/06/11: CIA-RDP05SO0365R000100030001-1 SECRET NAVY (Cont'd) 0217 NAVWPNCEN D249 NAVPGSCOL D507 COMINEWARCOM D700 CGMCDEC (2) D971 OP-009F D972 OP-009BIP D032 NAVPHIBSCOL 0204 NAVWARCOL/IO D153 PACMISTESTCEN 0218 NRL WASH DC D246 NAVSURFWPNCEN DAHL D247 NAVSURPWPNCEN WOAK 0256 NAVSHIPWPSYSENGSTA D506 NAVUSEACEN D510 CHNAVMAT (MAT-09I) 0914 OP-944F AIR FORCE U & S COMMANDS (Cont'?d H005 USCINCEUR. H006 USEUCOM DEFANALCTR H300 USAICE (USAREUR) (4) H320 66TH MI GP H351 10TH SFG (ABN) 1STSF (10) H524 HQ V CORPS (2) H525 HQ VII CORPS (2) H530 HQ 1ST ARMORED DIV (6) H007 SILK PURSE H301 COMBINEDARM'TCGCFN H305 USA TECH SUPT ACTY H306 DCSI US -COMBERLIN H315 21ST SUPPORT COMO H526 HQ 3RD INF DIV (6) H527 HQ 8TH INF DIV (6) H528 1ST INF DIV (FWD) (6) H529 HQ 3RD APMORED DIV (6) J517 COMNAVSURFLANT E017 J575'-FMFLANT/FMFEUR AF/RDQA-W J579 4TH MAB (3) E018 AF/RDQA-C J614 SECONDMAR (2)- E016 AFIS/INC J618 SIZTHMAR (2) E046 7602 AINTELG/INOA-1 J620 FIGHTMAR (2) J818 SECONDMARDIV (CFU) (6) E054 AF/INAKE 99 J 1 . FrT ej Ahil E200 AAC K005 , CINCPAC E303 AF/INAP K020 COMUSTDC E408 AFWL K100 PACAF 548 RTG E436 AFEWC (SUR) K300 IPAC (CODE IC-L) E451 AUL/LSE K340 I CORPS (ROK/US) GP E500 3420 TCHTG/TTMNL K500 CINCPACFL'f E410 ADTC K515 COMSEVENTHFLT E413 ESD K516 FIRST MAF E450 AIR UNIV K601 FIRSTMAW E465 USAF ACADEMY K612 THIRDMARDIV (6) E020 AFIS/INZA K650 COMNAVSURFPAC E100 TAC (9TH TIS/LDD) K658 COMUSNAVPHIL E317 AF/SAMI K679 FLTCORGRU 1 E409 AMD K314 IPAC (CODE 1-23) E411 ASD/FTD/ETID K315 IPAC (CODE 1-24) E429 SAMSO (IND) K152 FOURTHMARDIV (6) E437 AFIS/INI K305 25TH INF DIV (6) K342 2ND INF DIV (6) K610 FIRSTMARDIV (6) U & S COMMANDS K613 FIRSTMAR (2) K614 FOURTHMAR (2) G005 CINCAD K615 THIRDMAR (2) 23 SECRET Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/06/11: CIA-RDP05SO0365R000100030001-1 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/06/11: CIA-RDP05SO0365R000100030001-1 SECRET K617 FIFTHMAR (2) K621 NINTHMAR (2) K007 COMUSJAPAN K115 5TH AF K505 FICPAC K510 COMNAVFORJAPAN K514 COMTHIRDFLT L005 CINCSAC L040 SAC 544TH ARTW N005 USREOCOM (3) OTHER P055 CIA/CRS/ADD/SD (14) P085 STATE (5) P090 NSA (5) S030 FRD LIB OF CONG TOTAL DIA DISTRIBUTION 595 COPIES COPIES DIA STOCK TOTAL PRINT 7 COPIES 24 SECRET Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/06/11: CIA-RDP05SO0365R000100030001-1 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/06/11: CIA-RDP05SO0365R000100030001-1 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/06/11: CIA-RDP05SO0365R000100030001-1 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/06/11: CIA-RDP05SO0365R000100030001-1 1*7 i7__. Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/06/11: CIA-RDP05SO0365R000100030001-1