CIA • 1971

THE SOVIET NAVAL CRUISE MISSILE FORCE: DEVELOPMENT AND OPERATIONAL EMPLOYMENT

pproved for Release: 2017766714 C05512847 AR 70-14 APPROVED FOR RELEASE CIA HISTORICAL RELEASE PROGRAM JUNE 2017 DIRECTORATE OF INTELLIGENCE Intelligence Report The Soviet Naval Cruise Missile Force: Development and Operational Employment SR IR 71-79 December 1971 Approved for Release: 2017/06/14 C05512847 pproved for Release: 2017/06/14 C05512847 Approved for Release: 2017/06/14 C05512847 pproved for Release: 2017/06/14 C05512847 CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY Directorate of Intelligence December 1971 INTELLIGENCE REPORT The Soviet Naval Cruise Missile Force: Development and Operational Employment Introduction In the mid-Fifties the growth of the strategic threat posed by Western aircraft carriers called for a response by Soviet naval defenses. Western carriers could launch aircraft against the Soviet Union from beyond the effective operating areas of the Soviet Navy, which was then organized to protect the coasts and to support the flanks of the army. Soviet ships, aircraft, and submarines were designed for short-range operations and lacked armament which would permit an effective defense against the carrier...