MUNITIONS BOARD REQUEST FOR STUDIES OF SOVIET PURCHASES OF SELECTED COMMODITIES

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP67-00059A000300180015-3
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 3
• Document Creation Date: December 15, 2016
• Document Release Date: March 4, 2004
• Sequence Number: 15
• Publication Date: June 20, 1950
• Content Type: MEMO

Approved For Release 2004/03/23 : CI 1 67-00059AO00300180015-3
CENTRAL II- ILLIGENCE AGEMY
20 June 1950
0 3RAITUCM FOR: Assistant Chief of Staff., G-2, Department
of the ArnV
Director of Rival Intelligence
Director of Intelligence, Headquarters,
United States Air Force
Deputy Director for Intelligence, Joint Staff
Director, Staff, Munitions Board
SUF33EGTt Munitions Board Request for Studies of Soviet
?try.~ohases of Selected Comzudities
1. In response to a request from the I1Znitions Board, dated
19 My 1950, CIA is undertaking a series of studies of Soviet re-
quirements, production, and purchases of selected critical items.
CIA believes that, with respect to requirements and production., the
contemplated studies will carry further the program in other critical
materials begun in CIA t s fl 181, "Resources and allocations of steel,
aiumim m, petroleum, electric power, and technic al manpower for the
USSR, 1949-1952," which vas prepared at the request; of the Joint
Intelligence Committee o It is felt that the requirements of the
requester and the broader needs of national intelligence as well
as joint intelligence will beat be served by employing a develop-
ment of the same genex.al approach used in that publication.
2. Effective har dl of the
~ problem of Soviet requirements
and production suggests its treatment in two distinct parts: I. Re-
quirements indicated by current allocations of material and equipment;
and II,, Requirements under conditions of overt waaxfare,,. In both parts,
CIA rrnst have certain Information on Soviet militaxy requirements from
the Service Intelligence Agendiea in order to evaluate Soviet finite
resources and over-all demand and supply, both military and civilian,
3- Solution of the current problem requires:
A. that each Service L',gency prepare an estimate of Soviet
military requirements for the following suggested list of materials:
non-ferrosxs metals (tin? copper., lead, and zinc)
rubber (natural and synthetic)
f."erro-allays (molybdenum, tungsten, cobalt, etc.)
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high grade steels
coal tar products (benzene, toluene phenols, etc.)
explosives (including raw mterials)
military aviation gasoline (including lead tetraethyl)
These estiatea nnust be based on current estimated production of all
military equipment and on kno'an military stockpile reguiremonte in-
cluding supplies required for maintaining existing military facilities.
bo that, in addition, the Office of Havel Intelligence
prepare a sinilar estimate of Soviet military requirements for merchant
ships;
g. that current requirements are based on the most recent
estimates of the Soviet order of battle;
4. that requirements are those of "cold var" conditions
prior to an agreed 1S.-day;
.2tl that the Agencies report annual data from 1950 to the
agreed N-day as follows s
(1) 1950 inventory of all Soviet ground, air, and naval
ecpzip2'tent and supply by item and by tonnage regairements of each of the
listed raw materials, finished products, and other Items.
(2) Estimated annual production for each item of equip-
ment and supply in tons of each of the listed raw materials.
(3) Estimated annual replacement rate for each item.
(4) Expected inventory for each item and tons of listed
raw materials at the agreed 14-day., and the type of units most likely to
be mobilized from the 14-day reserve 0
A4a Solution of the wartime problem requires smiler treatment
(rith the addition of raw steel and aluminum) for conditions of war,
assuming the order of battle and probable campaigns outlined in the
most recent intelligence estimates.
5. The request from the P tions Board included atomic energy
raw materials. These will be made the special responsibility of the
Office of Scientific Intelligence of CIA,,
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6p, It is tentatively planned to complete a preliminary study
in six months. Agency contributions to Part I. Peacetime Requirementa,
should be scheduled for delivery to CIA by 30 September 1950; contribu-
tions to Part II, Wartime Requirements, should be scheduled for delivery
to CIA by 15 November 1950.
'1 In order to define the prroblea, establish certain assumptions
and terms of reference, determine the scope and extent of the project,
and make allocations of responsibility, a meeting will be held on
Wednesday, 28 June 1950, at 1330, in Room 117 Central Building, at
which the agencies addressed are requested to be represented. The
-nam
es of those designated to attend this meet should be notified
-
to
F
I
25X1
FOR 73IE DIRECTOR OF CENTRAL INT 1LIGEIXEs
25X1
Assistant Director
Reports and Est antes
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