NATIONAL INTELLIGENCE SURVEY 68; ICELAND; TRANSPORTATION AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS

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• Collection: NIS
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP01-00707R000200110056-2
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CONfiOENtrA
11 /BSItfi
Iceland
June 1973
NATIONAL INTELLIGENCE SURVEY
r CONFIDENTIAL
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NATIONAL INTELLIGENCE SUVEY PUBLICATIONS
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This chapter was prepared for the NIS by the
Defense Intelligence Agency. It includes a con
tribution on airfields from the Defense Mapping
Agency, Aerospace Center, and a contribution
on the merchant marine from the Department
of the Navy. Research was substantially com-
pleted by January 1973.
ij
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C j
ICCtAnc
CONTENTS
This chapter supersedes the transportation and
telecommunication coverage in the Ceneray Survey
dated December 1966.
A. Appraisal 1
B. Strategic mobility 1
C. Highways 2
D Ports 4
E. Merchant marine 8-
F. Civil air 8
G. Airfields I 9
H. Telecommunications 10
CONFIDENTIAL
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FIGURES
Page
PdgC
Fig. I
Earth-gravel road (photo)
3 Fig. 6
Selected airfields (table) 8
Fig. 2
Concrae. deck bridge (photo)
3 Fig. 7
Ceneral telmommunication pattern
Fig. 3
Through truss bridge (photo)
3
(nlap) 11
Fig. 4
Port of Reykjavik (photo)
5 Fig. 8
Terrain and transportation
Fig. 5
Major ports (table)
6
(map) follows 12
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Transportation and
Telecommunications
A. Appraisal (C)
Moist of Ihr trall.1lettlillil 11 filtililim Off Ivelatld :Ite
!'Itaw. iudl elf�Inrnlal, Islet tiles 111e�14 till- tltvd% of Ihr
*mall. aide, MIAll�n�e) Iropnlillictl. Facilities are
c 'lutivillralell in the Reykjavik an�a laid are* mllfim�d
illmlr.t exrl11.ively Ill lilt- Ix�rilneter of Ihr islaild
f Figinr S1. selllrtnrllf elf the i.laild a:u p arti.ell%
drfrr11lineei by tran.pxatittion cn�.idrrllion.. and
illitllra file entire ptopnLltion .till five� fill Ihr c�Iastal
fringe. Kith acrs. ter N�a Iru%Ixrrlaliern. '1'br
rugged. flwL% nalnn� elf much elf lilt- large, 6arrell
lerrain and Ihr effects of Illy aeAlfi,er have macho. the
(Imelopmrnl elf lnereleril ven diffic�ull. 5illve
the.*.� .011ie handicap% have :d.41 n�tAlrcb�d the
de%eloptttent of the elditr economy. tlIvre is no nrt;rnl
nerd for emetla%r Iciuulxrf. +lien :old ll�lecfmr
ttnutiellion
Tin nludn'. IIcatiott ha. bnntght if forinn,to.
airldf Ill. in list' last -311 %e:lr%. Illvaitse of its .Iralegie
rrl :lti4111�hip to Ihr North Allanlic� comet nMlte. in
Woorld War 11. it w:t. ItNA :l� At Ilaval well air lease I
U.S, and Iirilish fore... 1'hf�N� Ires;�lgtwing force. lnado.
.ignifieaill ingrnrxrnu�nl�. e.Ix�ci,lly in air facililil�%
and cfrmnnmitalio11�. Aflvr the war. the rulgl�s of
Iru%pxrrt ainrlft Ale to. .nth Thal again Ihr ia:uul'.
lomution Isn%f�el flirt Ili loll.. :still further .ignificaut
fotrign :l..i�lance� Ala% given to illlprllvr air facilities.
III te111N�ehll�1111�. I01111ek profitable civil air sw.tem
ha� drvcloiled far onl of pngxrlioll to the donx�stic
e�eenultttie� Ir:IN� and i% one of Ihr Chief all- N�a.ofi
I nImIxlrlil l i1111 Inlxle�..
vir cfnn,try ha� no railroild%, inland males,%., or
significant pilll-lillm. The Iligi ma% network i% lart" a
Itt�riplienll %yocitl %till, to few irr:lfich rmnl.. I'. Ix�cially
in tile.4111thae�. and no1her11 mgioim l-1 significant
Irin.inm4ar li,nugh route, ml.l of it un.urfacrd.
cnfsN�. floe rugged velotrll upland west of the center (if
Ihr iaall(l 4111 it .mthac��t- �I,IIrlhe.l.f ai.. In n,am
'Vile fliat� Ilk on I n+mr4 %or the 11+1 of nanwv fie Ilw alone,
4 Ihr Ter'rin anal T&IM PwIaliton map. the map it.ei', aim) the map
in the Ird
ilivils. road, can be used oill% ill .Illll11wr: h rmlill.
.mew. Alnd the rM.o. of %%(..filter seth rlesly c�omplicale
roadbuildh,g al,ll nt,intrn:ulee�.
Coastal .flipping :+nd tloe large fiutn6t'r of ports that
fringo. Ihr i.lall(k levrirneh�r an� extremely in1lxrt :u11.
Os almost all of the Ixgmlation. the arahle l :udl. :led)
tile 1. fishing i11dustn Alto. Iocatl�c) along the coast.
Most harlxrs, except those fill lh� nordwrn coast.
usual, do 'not frer2e in mifiler..11ulShips call reach the
Ixrls ill :111 N -Loll.. '1111. rnodvst itivre�11:m1 marine
carrit's much of the fon�ign tract., which is wit,l to :ur
island economy that tn+t.t import mac�hirery.
Inanufactured gofxls, foodstuffs. and raw materials.
Airfields and srapl,m� stations, evenly (list ributed
Al tilt' cf:utlinr of the island. srrwe both domestic
and international civil I%ialiol.
'I'cfrcfmlmunicalion is provided chic�flw 1w it .wire
telephone :Ind lrlegraph s %sl ni that circles the island.
inlereminveling ill main Imwns: ntainl4-nance is
o.six�cially difficoll 6ecaltse of the uralhermid terrain.
This systt'nl has 6.4-11 alegnu�nt.d by the addition of
rag io- rI�lay link.. liadio. TV. and r.idio -relay swst.nls
c:1n Iw�cOM Ill icated by iomosph4-ric� (list urballevs. Cocd
ifito.rnatiottall c�onlrmrnicaliom are provided b%
.ubillarirn� Cables.
The te�leeommunication systems, thr ports. and the
airfieldh are gmerom ew owned and operated. All are
adillilikle o.d by Ihr Ministry of Conummications.
vxc�ept for the broadcast fac�iliti.s (Ministry of
Edli ation). The govermnent o%wtls oil(- of the seyrn
merchant marine companie%,fill 11.1.:1 minority share
in another: the merchant marine is ,clrunistered by
the Minislry of Cominerce. 'I',4- government also has a
minority share in one� of the two sclivdided air carriers.
B. Strategic mobility (C)
The supply and mmventent of inilitim forces would
he impeded h\- the lack of micquate land
transportation systeilts. Low highway d.rlsit... lilt
alssrfice of good surfaced through routes, nurnc:ous
Iwttleneeks, and adverse climatic conditions would
severely limit the use of the lligil way network in
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support of suslaim-d operations. forts affiliated with
the North tk ilaut'tc 'Treaty Organization (NATO)
would he capable of supporting limited naval
operations. The ttlerc�hant marine has sonic potential
for short haul (ill) to �18 hours' steaming) troop -lift and
sustained logistics support. 'I'll( 16 ;Iry cargo ships of
1,000 or more gross register tons (g.r.L), totaling
13,2119 d;Iweight tons 1 ,d.Nv.t.l� have a military lift
and supply transport capability of 311,295 cargo d.w.l.
None have heavy -lift booms (40 tons or more
capacity). With expansion of the normal 210
passenger capacity of the only passenger ship, a
moderate military support potential could be provided
for longer haul troop transport (over -15 honrs'
steaming). The only tanker has an estimated capacity
of 9.1,970 Barrels (U.S.) of petroleum and related
products and could provide military support for it
limited period of time. Although tilt: country has no
provision for the mobilization of civil aviation aircraft
during it national emergency, the personnel and
aircraft of the scheduled and charter airlines could be
used by the government. Of the five major airfields
designated as international airfields, four have
permanent surfaced runways; however, only Rey-
kjavik and Keflavik have fuel, maintenance, and
passenger service normally associated with inter-
national designation. Reykjavik is capable of handling
C- 130 -type aircraft, while Keflavik has a capacity for
C -141 types. Telecommunication facilities are
provided by both wire and radiocominunications. of
which the open -wire telephone :nd telegraph network
is the most important. International communications
are available through two coaxial submarine cables.
The telecom system currently satisfies both civil and
potential military requirements. Important NATO
affiliat'd facilities, including tropospheric scattei and
low frequency (LF) naval radiocommunications, are
located near Keflavik, Crindavik, and 1 loin.
Radiocommunications are subject to frequent
ionospheric disturbances, and heavy snow. and poor
roads contribute to the inaccessability of the open -wire
system for maintenance during the w inter.
C. Highways (C)
Highways, the country's sole mode of land
transportation, are important to the economy.
Iligh way transport is confined mainly to sb rl -haul
movement along the seacoast, and coastal shipping
and civil air are used for long distances. Because of the
nature of the terrain, the highway network is sparse,
a
unevenly distributed, and virtnally devoid of through
routes. The density of roads is greatest in the
sotithwestern part of the connty and focuses on
11eykjavi The hest engineered road in the country is
the 31 -Inile concrete (sone bituminous stretches) road
linking Reykjavik and Keflavik. A peripheral highway
connects towns and villages along the coast. The
alignment, however, is circuitous, and some segments,
particularly along the southern coast, are rendered
impassable at tithes by glacial out -flaw and swollen
streams. 'There are sonic alternative roads to the
coastal, route: in the northern and western parts of that.
country. Only a few roads and motorahle tracks
penetrate the inhospitable and sparsely populated
interior. Most communities are served by a road or at
(cast a track, Init sonic fishing villages are accessible
only by water.
The 7,400 miles of roads and tracks in the country
arc classified as national, district, county, and
mountain reads; over half of the network falls in the,,
national category. About 4,760 miles of roads are
surfaced with crushed stone (including lava) and
gravel (Figure 1); 2,:593 miles are unsurfaced roads
and motorable tracks; and the remaining 47 miles are
concrete with some short bituminous stretches.
Roads range from 10 to' 16 feet in width: shoulders
arc generally narrow or altogether lacking. 'I'll(- best
roads are in the Southwestern part of the country. The
condition of the system ranges from poor to good.
The network has about 900 bridges and culverts
which are 1:3 feet or more in length. About 300,of these
structures are less than 135 feet inflength; the remaining
600 range from 35 to 960,feet. Most stntcttres are of
concrete arch or concrete beam construction. "There
are some steel truss and also some suspension bridges;
timber bridges are rare. The concrete and steel bridges
(Figures 2 and 3) are generally in good condition.
Most structures have roadway widths of 7 to 9 feet.
Vertical clearance is generally unlimited except on
suspension and through truss bridges. There is only
one tunnel, which is located in the remote
northwestern part of the country. Fords arc common
on the lesser used roads, particularly in the interior.
"There are no ferries known to be in operation.
'rhe N9inistry of Communications through the
Public Roads Administration has overall responsi-
bility for the highway network. Roadbuilding in the
interior of the country is it formidable task; over half of
the total area is rugged upland averaging 2,000 to
3,000 feet above sea level characterized by extensive
regions of lava rock, glaciers, lakes, and marshes. In
m
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If
Cllr c�lr.ist4a) lowlands 41 surge 11nnrlh� of brid 4lre
11rr(1ed beca(ISr of lilt- to 4uly rivers 4111d glaei:ll sln�41111s.
Alignitimils :Ire restricted its ustst parts of the cYunln
bee;suse of the terrain. 4111(1 cYmslnu�Iion is h:Irnllowd
by 4(110011411 restrictions. Winters airs. 14111g snfiwflll
Is heavy, esliecially in the northern alld raslern mitts.
Spring thawing causes exlensivi flooding mid (1;1111:1X+�
to roads Const filet i :m materials, including_.tiudN�r.
hittsneo. mid steel. acre imported. Ample tlu;adilie� of
cement are produced in the country.
Ilighway developilunt is directed tar intptuvenu�nl
of roads in the vicinity 'of lievkjavik. A voirreitt plan
calls for the construction of :33 miles of hull -lane
bituminous or concrete surfaced roml linking
lieykjavik to Selfoss (27 tttil :old l lieykjsvik Ili
Kollafjordhnr (8 miles). The project is scheduled for
completion by late 1973 or vatly 197-1. Nunancing is
through a 20 -year U5S4 millioli World Baulk loan.
Ilighway traffic is restricted Isy nmtnve% surfaire
widths, sharp curves. steep grides. mid morrow. low
capacity bridges. Scow blfic�ks Ilst� romis in winter. ;111(1
melting .11ow :aid ice cause (l(NKli11g in the spring.
Avalanches, frost tImmige. atld washouts interrupt or
stop triffic. Nog fn�(luenlly impairs visibility :!long the
southero and southmisleni co.1sts.
Freight and p;issenger tntnsimirt oIK�ratiolm are
concentnited mainly in the soulit '!'nicks haul
agricultural and dairy prwhicls !4111) farms to the
i1eykjavik area: inllsoris it the .port of Re%kjavik air(-
distributed to vilhiges and towns f v truck is well as Ily
other means. \lost trucking is licifortnt-d b% Owner�
olxrators. who haul for themselves. and by trucking
cooperatives. which haul for hire. A munlN�r of Ills
firms op enile in and tromid li.�ykj.ivik. Service lit
other ports of the country is available itmiol% in the
surnmcr months: however. a few routes. patlic�ular1%
the road from lieykj :tvik to Akun�%ri via Plotuduos,;1W
open Al year. "These service% supplement air IrinslNrt
and coastal shipping.
Towns hove excellent m oolero taxi service. In
addition. with automobile: in general use. m tsunllN�r
of rental czar cornpaniv% have started o1scralion in the
last few years. Most (if these companim rent
Volkswagens.
The country has no motor vehicle pnKluc�tion. hill
buses are fitted with hxalh. fahricated INKli(�.4.
Although automobile repair shclr :ire numerous.
assembly of automobiles is not Iterfnned Imill
In January 1972. registered vehicles tol.ded 71 181).
of which 46041 were passetipr casts and 6.408 .%en�
trucks and buses. The U.S.S.R.. the United Stat(�s.
West Ger1114111%; iuul list- Ullited Kintsflurll are lilt
prittcill.11 suppliers.
D. forts (C)
ItY�lantl his
s Major :Ind :Ibmlt .50 minor loorts.
4111 of a Mitts i11e go%(Irll11st�tll ow us-d :11111 ol>