IDENTIFICATION OF SOVIET NAVAL SHIPS IN RESERVE STATUS

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: NGA Records (Formerly NIMA)
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP78T05162A000100010061-3
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: T
• Document Page Count: 9
• Document Creation Date: December 28, 2016
• Document Release Date: August 2, 2011
• Sequence Number: 61
• Publication Date: February 1, 1970
• Content Type: REPORT

Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/08/02 :CIA-RDP78T05162A000100010061-3
PHOTOGRAPHIC INTERPRETATION REPORT
IDENTIFICATION OF
SOVIET NAVAL SHIPS
IN RESERVE STATUS
FEBRUA9RY9 1p970
COPY 11 p
7 PAGES
PIR-005/70
GROUP 1: EXCLUDED FROM
AUTOMATIC DOWNGRADING
AND DECLASSIFICATION
Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/08/02 :CIA-RDP78T05162A000100010061-3
 Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/08/02 :CIA-RDP78T05162A000100010061-3
Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/08/02 :CIA-RDP78T05162A000100010061-3
 L
Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/08/02 :CIA-RDP78T05162A000100010061-3
TOP SECRET RUFF
KEYHOLE photography of 110 Soviet naval installations was analyzed in
an effort to determine photographic indicators of vessels in reserve. In
turn, such indicators were used to identify the numbers and locations of re-
serve vessels comprising significant elements of the Soviet Naval Reserve
Fleet. The analysis was based entirely on photography and does not reflect
information derived from other source materials on reserve fleet holdings.
Photographic indicators were established that appear to be applicable to
reserve vessels in all Soviet fleet areas. On the basis of these indicators,
60 surface vessels and at least 14 submarines were identified as associated
with elements of the Soviet reserve fleet. Eleven installations were found
to have these reserve elements (Figure 1). Although more than 14 submarines
may be in reserve, only five W-class submarines (at Sovetskaya Gavan) and
nine Q-class submarines (five at Kronshtadt and four at Balaklava) could be
identified by means of these indicators.
The reason that only a relatively small number of submarines is associ-
ated with these indicators is still undetermined. Analysis of those instal-
lations where reserve units have not been identified is continuing in order
to assess the status not only of submarines but also of the smaller surface
vessels, which were not analyzed at this time.
Sim eropol
ARAL
SEA ,s~
J/ Lakc
I R~lkh~~
\\ Ashkabad ~ - I~
L
'--~' ) C
AFGHANISTAN
I ~??~ .
PAKISTAN Boundaries and names are not necessarily
those recognized bN the U.S. Government
TOP SECRET RUFF
BER/NG
SEA
SEA
OF
OKHOTSK
~KAYA p
AN
SEA OF
JAPAN
Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/08/02 :CIA-RDP78T05162A000100010061-3
 Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/08/02 :CIA-RDP78T05162A000100010061-3
TOP SECRET RUFF
25X1
LJ/~ I
Note: NPIC is experimenting with various methods of presenting color
imagery in its reporting and is studying these methods in terms of efficiency
of reproduction and of manhour and materials costs. The method for present-
ing color imagery shown here is a photographic reproduction on glossy paper,
a method which because of costs may not become standard. Another method under
consideration is processed-color photography, which is a method of color separa-
tion half-tones for offset printing. (The black-and-white photograph was
reproduced in a single-color half-tone.)
- 2 -
TOP SECRET RUFF
__ Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/08/02 :CIA-RDP78T05162A000100010061-3
n
 Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/08/02 :CIA-RDP78T05162A000100010061-3
Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/08/02 :CIA-RDP78T05162A000100010061-3
 Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/08/02 :CIA-RDP78T05162A000100010061-3
TOP SECRET RUFF
Environmental control units, which are an important indicator for
identifying ships in reserve status, are observed. on the decks of surface
vessels and submarines. These units probably serve as both dehumidifiers and
heaters. A unit is rectangular, is possibly constructed of sheet metal, and
Flexible lines
or hoses may be seen extending from environmental control units to several
areas on a surface ship. Occasionally one unit may serve as many as four
submarines (Figure 3).
Typical locations of these units on surface vessels and submarines are
as follows: on the Sverdlov-class cruiser (CL), the control units are ob-
served portside aft, .starboard side forward, and port and starboard sides
amidships (Figure 4). Kotlin-class destroyers (DD) usually have three or
four control units along the starboard side (Figure 5). On the Skoryy-class
destroyer (DD), there are usually three or four control units aligned on the
portside; however, at times one unit has been placed forward on the starboard
side (Figure 5). On the Riga-class destroyer escort (DE), the control unit
is on the portside, forward of the twin 37-mm gun mount (Figure 5). An addi-
tional unit has often been observed on the starboard side of the B turret.
On the T-58 fleet minesweeper, the unit is on the stern, but on the T-43 fleet
minesweeper the unit is portside amidships (Figure 4). On both the W-class
and Q-class submarines the control units are located abaft the sail.
The ten areas where reserve surface vessels are located are described,
and Table 1 provides a breakdown of the numbers sighted.
At Sovetskaya Gavan, reserve vessels are located approximately-2 nautical
miles (nm) west of Sovetskaya Gavan Submarine Base.
At Vladivostok, the reserve vessels are at Vladivostok Naval Base Bukhta
Novik, which is approximately 4 nm south-southwest of the city. '
25X125X1
~- _ 5 _ 25X1
TOP SECRET RUFF
Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/08/02 :CIA-RDP78T05162A0001
 Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/08/02 :CIA-RDP78T05162A000100010061-3
Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/08/02 :CIA-RDP78T05162A000100010061-3
 Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/08/02 :CIA-RDP78T05162A000100010061-3
TOP SECRET RUFF ~ 25x~
At Guba Sayda, reserve vessels are 760 meters (2,493 feet) northeast
of Guba Sayda Naval Base Southwest.
At Pechenga, reserve vessels are approximately 1.2 nm north of Pechenga.
Submarine Base Linakhamari.
At Kronshtadt, the reserve vessels are located between Kronshtadt Sub-
marine Base and Kronshtadt Naval Base and Shipyard and are mixed with active
units.
At Riga, the reserve vessels are berthed at the southern edge of Riga
Naval Base and Shipyard Bolderaja.
At Tallinn, the reserve vessels are moored at the northwest edge of
Tallinn Naval Base and Shipyard Morskoy Zavod.
At Sevastopol, the reserve vessels ar_e mixed with active vessels at
Sevastopol Naval Mine and Torpedo Storage UG.
At Poti, the reserve vessels are moored at the southwest edge of Poti
Naval Base and Shipyard Yelyava 201.
Table 1. Location of Surface Ships of the Reserve Fleet, November 1969
Location by
Fleet
Pacific
Sovetskaya
Gavan
Vladivostok
Northern
Guba Sayda
Pechenga
Rosta
Sverdlov
CL
Kotlin
DD
Ships by Class
Skoryy
DD
Riga
DE
1 5 (1 1
unarmed)
Baltic
Kronshtadt 1 1 2 --
Tallinn -- -- 2 3
Riga -- -- -- --
Black Sea
Sevastopol 1 1 3 poss --
Doti -- -- -- 3
T-58
MSF
MSF
PFR
Total 4 3 19 9 3 18 4
TOP SECRET RUFF
Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/08/02 :CIA-RDP78T05162A000100010061-3
 Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/08/02 :CIA-RDP78T05162A000100010061-3
TOP SECRET
TOP SECRET
Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/08/02 :CIA-RDP78T05162A000100010061-3