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

TAM= -RvET________ ____
(3) Other Forces
The SNAP operates 140 to 150
transport aircraft and helicopters which are used
in a utility or command support role. Included
in this category are about 10 MI-6 twin-turbine
heavy helicopters which are deployed with two of
the MI-4 ASW regiments. The mission of the MI-6's
has not been positively identified. Their associ-
ation with the MI-4 units suggests the possibility
of an ASW role, but the MI-6's have never been con-
firmed in ASW activity, and it seems more probable
that they have a logistic support role.
3. Operations and Capabilities
Emphasis on expanded and more realistic
operations, a trend of the past several years, was
the major theme of Soviet naval operations and
exercises during the past year. The Soviets are
continuing their close surveillance of US naval
formations, particularly carrier operations, but.
monitor other Western exercises as well. There
have been occasional incidents of harassment of
ships and submarines.
a. Defense Against Enemy Surface Forces
Soviet statements and naval exercises
indicate that Soviet planners continue to assign a
high priority to the destruction of Western naval
surface forces, especially aircraft carriers, in time
of war. Over the past decade the Soviet Navy has
developed an impressive operational capability to
carry out this mission. The main weapons systems
employed in this effort have been cruise-missile
submarines and ASM-equipped aircraft.
Observation of recent exercises in-
dicates that the Soviets intend to use echeloned
barriers in defending against surface attack groups.
Nuclear-powered cruise-missile submarines of the
E class are deployed into waters several hundred
mil.es off US naval bases, apparently to simulate
attacks on carriers shortly after their departure
from home bases.
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