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

TOP'SBGRFT
III. The Buildup Against China
The Soviets have doubled the size of their forces
along the border opposite China--from Sinkiang to
Manchuria--during the past several years. The number
of line divisions has. increased from 13 to 24 and
combat and service support elements have been added.
Some small increases occurred at least as early -as
1964, but the major increases.began in 1966. (See
Figure 3, the foldout map following this page, and
Figure 4, below.)
Tactical aviation along the border has also
increased substantially, and a new tactical air
force is being established in the Transbaykal area
and in Mongolia. The.current tactical air disposi-
tions include some 130 aircraft in the Transbaykal
Military District (MD), 190 in the Far East MD, and
about 80 aircraft in Mongolia. Continuing airfield
construction in the Transbaykal indicates that from.
two to three additional regiments may be added soon
to form a tactical air army. The Turkestan MD has
about 190 aircraft, mostly located opposite Iran
and Afghanistan. However, the Soviets have recently
constructed new airfields opposite Sinkiang to which
aircraft could be deployed.
Figure 4
Ground Forces Buildup on Sino-Soviet Border
Thousands Million Sq.Ft.
80 .30
VEHICLES BARRACKS
60 __ _ _ _ _ /
/ 20
400
1963 64 55 66 67 68 69 1963 64 65 66 67 68 69
(Est.) (Est.) (Est.) (Est.)
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TOr'SEGR ET|