DETECTING NUCLEAR WEAPONS IN CUBA

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP83M00914R000600120012-4
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: December 20, 2016
• Document Release Date: November 13, 2007
• Sequence Number: 12
• Publication Date: January 13, 1982
• Content Type: MEMO

Approved For Release 2007/11/13: CIA-RDP83M00914R000600120012-4
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CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY
DIRECTORATE OF INTELLIGENCE
13 January 1982
MEMORANDUM
Detecting Nuclear Weapons in Cuba
Aircraft that are configured to deliver nucle
equipped with special arming and safety devices.
carry bombs--Cuba's MIG-21 figh
ot normall
d
ar weapons are
If the aircraf
ter
t
y
oes n
instance--special pilons might also be required.
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'
s are
Regardless of whether u a s MIG
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could be so
the
presently capable ot ro
configured in a few hour
y
pping nuclear weapons,
s if the necessary equipment is made
Apart from the aircraft equipment, the other ingredients
necessary to provide Cuba a nuclear delivery capability are
absent. There is no evidence that nuclear weapons are being
stored in Cuba, or that Cuban pilots have practiced the
techniques for delivering nuclear bombs. To our knowledge, the
Soviets have never provided this training outside of the Warsaw
available.
Pact.
This memorandum was requested by the Deputy Director of Intelligence.
It was prepared b of the Middle
America/Caribbean Division, Office of African and Latin American Analysis and
contains information available as of 13 January 1982. Questions and comments
should be directed to Chief, Middle America/Caribbean Division, OALA,F7 25X1
ALA-M-82-10007
Oga a 0D
Approved For Release 2007/11/13: CIA-RDP83M00914R000600120012-4
 Approved For Release 2007/11/13: CIA-RDP83M00914R000600120012-4
SECRET
The addition of another squadron of MIG-23 fighter-bombers
to the Cuban Air Force represents only a small, incremental
increase in combat capabilities that is consistent with other
recent improvements in Cuba's ground and naval forces. The
MIG-23s can carry a heavier weapons load and deliver it to a
greater distance than Cuba's MIG-21s but remain primarily
tactical ground support aircraft. 25X1
Of greater concern to us would be the provision to Cuba of
TU-16 or TU-22 medium or intermediate-range bombers, such as
those supplied to Egypt, Libya, and Iraq. The presence of such
aircraft would be a clear indication of a Soviet attempt to
provide Cuba an offensive, threat against the United States. 25X1
2
SECRET
Approved For Release 2007/11/13: CIA-RDP83M00914R000600120012-4