Contribution to NIE 11-14-64 Capabilities of Soviet General-Purpose Forces 1964-70, CIA/DI/ORR, 6 October 1964

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aircraft are now replacing older models at a ratio of almost one-for-
one, deficiencies in the composition and quality of the force continue
to be evident. A modern multipurpose attack plane for close support of
ground troops is still missing from the inventory, all-weather inter-
ceptors still constitute only a small part of the fighter force, and
reconnaissance capabilities appear to fall below Soviet requirements.
The nAtional air forces of the European Satellites add some 2,500 to
2,700 aircraft of all types to the airpower potentially available to
the USSR, although the capabilities of these forces vary widely and
in no case measure up to Soviet standards. The replacement of older
by newer models of aircraft is proceeding slowly in the Satellite air
forces, and it is expected that these forces will consist largely of
older generation aircraft throughout the course of this estimate (see
Table 6*).
A. Soviet 'Tactical Air Force
1. Mssion and. Organization
Although the Soviet Tactical Air Force (TAF) appears to
have lost some of its functions to the tactical missile forces as a
result of the weapons revolution of recent years, the role of tactical
aviation in theater warfare operations is still broad and varied.
This role includes bombing and air-to-surface missile strikes against
enemy theater force targets, close support of ground arid airborne
operations, air intercept missions, and reconnaissance. As indicated
P. 26, below.
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