OSR Contribution to NIE 11-14-68, Soviet and East European General Purpose Forces, CIA/DI/OSR, October 1968.

The development of an ASW capability
in the open-ocean surface forces had preoccupied
Soviet naval strategists for some time. Stresson
improving all aspects of ASW will undoubtedly continue.
It appears doubtful that any new combatant designs of
cruiser or destroyer types will emerge in the near
term. Emphasis will be placed on increasing the com-
bat capability of the open-ocean forces and there is
a clear need for development of a new destroyer es-
cort. Probably the most significant addition within
the next few years.will be the two helicopter carriers.
These carriers, designed primarily to provide a sea-
borne platform for ASW helicopters, could presage the
development of new ships designed to provide air sup-
port for many of the surface fleet's tasks.
It is apparent that the success of
US aircraft carrier operations is keeping alive an
internal Soviet polemic about the need for such ships
in their navy. At present there is no evidence of
the construction of additional helicopter carriers
or the design of aircraft carriers but, following a
period of evaluation of these two helicopter carriers,
a new model probably will be built.
In out-of-area operations the Soviet
surface forces seem to lack adequate logistic support
and air support. Fulfillment of these deficiencies
will depend largely on the construction priorities
in naval shipbuilding.
The construction of the Kresta-class
guided-missile light cruiser, the Kashin-class guided-
missile frigate, and the Petya-class escort will most
likely continue at current rates for a few more years
to provide added combat capabilities. Logistic ships
for surface ship support probably will be built, but
it is doubtful that they will appear before the early
1970's.
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