CIA • 1985

THE GORSHKOV SUCCESSION: IMPLICATIONS FOR THE SOVIET NAVY

Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/01/26: CIA-RDP85TO1058R000608500001-7 Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/01/26: CIA-RDP85TO1058R000608500001-7 Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/01/26: CIA-RDP85TO1058R000608500001-7 Central Intelligence Agency Washinglon.QC20505 DIRECTORATE OF INTELLIGENCE 27 September 1985 The Gorshkov Succession: Implications For the Soviet Navy Summary Admiral of the Fleet of the Soviet Union Sergei Gorshkov, 75, has served as commander of the Soviet Navy for 30 years, presiding over its growth from a coastal defense force to a blue water navy. Whoever succeeds him will inherit not only his accomplishments but also some difficult challenges, both from foreign navies and within the Soviet military structure. Foremost among the external challenges, will be the growing threat to Soviet territory from the Increasing number of Western naval strategic strike platforms and the continuing vulnerability of Soviet ballistic missile submarines to attack by Western anti-submarine warfare (ASW) units...