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

no jet-powered military transports such as the C-141
and C-5 under development, however, to provide a
faster response to high-priority airlift requirements.
c. Military Potential of Civil Aircraft
The civil airline Aeroflot--with some
2,100 active multiengine transports in the light,
medium, and heavy categories and with crews accustomed
to operating under austere field conditions--could
significantly augment Soviet military airlift capa-
bilities. Many would be so tasked during wartime.
The light piston-engine and turboprop
aircraft which make up over one-half the Aeroflot
multiengine force would be used effectively on tempo-
rary airstrips. However, many of the medium and all
of the heavy transports would have to use improved
airfields with permanent runways. They could be
effectively used for ferrying troops to well-developed
airfields, routine delivery of small cargo, and air
evacuation.
Medium transport strength in Aeroflot
will probably increase through at least 1968 with the
continued delivery of IL-18 Coot four-turboprop trans-
ports, and.is expected to rise again. after 1970 when
the TU-154 triple-turbofan aircraft becomes available.
Heavy transport strength should in-
crease with the delivery of increasing numbers of
IL-62 Classics and possibly the introduction of
AN-22 Cock heavy assault transports. Although it
is expected that initially most, if not all, AN-22's.
will be delivered to VTA-Abn, there are numerous
indications that these aircraft will be extensively
used either by.Aeroflot or by the military in support
of Aeroflot operations.
The total number of light transports
may show some increase during the next several years.
The retirement of older piston-engine models probably
will continue, but this reduction should be more than
offset as newer models with greater lift capabilities.
are obtained.
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