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

TO1PE FT
C. Naval Forces
The Soviet Navy's historic .missions--
defense against seaborne attack, interdiction of
sea lines of communication, and antisubmarine
warfare--continue in force. To these missions have
been added the responsibilities for assault oper-
ations in the local coastal areas in conjunction
with air and ground forces and for protection of
Soviet interests at sea.
The navy is emphasizing the development
of fleiible forces capable of projecting sea power
beyond the periphery of the USSR. The effects of
this policy can be seen not only in the new classes
of long-range ships now entering the fleet but in
expanded operations and exercises. Regular operations
of submarines in the Atlantic and Pacific, and of
surface and submarine forces in the Mediterranean,
are now being carried out. More recently, the
Soviets began to promote their naval power by "show
the flag" operations in the Indian Ocean.
Objectives of the new policy include the
development of effective forces capable of countering
Western naval power and limiting the ability of the
West to intervene in "wars of national ,liberation."
While the Soviets are forcefully pursuing these
policies, they cannot shift the balance of naval
power during the period of this estimate.
Developments of the past year reveal
some significant new details about the missions and
responsibilities of the navy. The submarine force
continues to be the most important element within
the navy. Up to now defense against aircraft car-
riers was the primary mission of the submarine
force.
With the appearance of a new class of
submarine that most likely was designed specifically
for antisubmarine warfare (ASW), it' seems clear that
the Soviets intend to develop an open-ocean ASW sub-
marine force. The navy has not had such a capability
in the past, but with the continuing concern over
80 -
TOF'4ECRET