SOVIET NAVAL PRESENCE IN THE INDIAN OCEAN

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP80R01731R002200020002-8
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: T
• Document Page Count: 24
• Document Creation Date: December 14, 2016
• Document Release Date: August 18, 2003
• Sequence Number: 2
• Publication Date: May 7, 1975
• Content Type: BRIEF

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SOVIET- NAVAL PRESENCE IN THE INDIAN OCEAN
A. History of the Soviet Force
1. The Soviet naval presence in the Indian Ocean
began in March 1968, when four ships from..
Vladivostok made goodwill visits to six Indian
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Ocean countries--Sri Lanka, India, Y.en_ya, Somalia, -
Pakistan and South Yemen. Such goodwill cruises
were the principal activity through late 1969.
Since then, the Indian Ocean force has spent
most of its, time in the northwestern portion of
the ocean, where the Soviets have acquired use
of several port facilities.
2. Although the number of countries visited annual7.y
has decreased since 1969, the general expansion
of the naval force and the increased use of a
few ports on a routine basis have resulted
in an~ overall increase in the number of port. calls.
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3. The growth in Soviet naval deployments to the
Indian Ocean since 1968 has been gradual, but
relatively steady. Soviet naval ship-days in
the Indian Ocean increased from about 1,000 in 1968
to 5,000 in 1970 and 9,000 in 1974, and the normal
force grew from two surface warships to six surface
warships and a submarine during this period.
a. During the India--Pakistan War in 1971 and the
Middle East crisis in 1973 and early 1974,
the Soviets augmented their Indian Ocean
force by several warships.
b. About one-third of the total activity in the past
three years has been associated with harbor
clearing operations in Bangladesh and mine-
sweeping in the Gulf of Suez.
B. Composition of the Soviet Force
1. The composition of the Soviet Indian Ocean force varies
considerably as units move in and out of the area. The
basic cor_tingent of Soviet naval units conducting
routine operations in the Indian Ocean usually is
composed of one destroyer, two destroyer escorts, two
minesweepers, and an amphibious ship--as well as a
diesel submarine and seven auxiliary support ships,
including a merchant tanker.
2. Along with this basic force, the Soviets have a
continuing practice of sending a cruiser once
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or twice a year to make several flag-showing port.
calls in the area for short periods.
3. During 1972-1974, the Soviet navy conducted
.mine-clearing and salvage operations in the port of
Chittagong in Bangladesh. By late 1972 this
activity involved about 15 ships and boats,
but during the second year of operations, this
numbe~~ was gradually reduced. Some of these
ships joined others in the Red Sea in July 1974
to carry out mine--clearing operations in the
Strait of Gubal.
a. Mine-sweeping operations in the Strait of
Gubal lasted from late July through November
1974.
b. The helicopter ship Leningrad and an escorting
destroyer entered the Indian Ocean last summer
and joined the mine-c]earing group at the end
of July.
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c. This is the first time a helicopter ship had
operated in the Indian Ocean or the Red Sea.
a... Two Kresta-II class cruisers and two nuclear-
western fleets.
have been transferring to the Pacific from the
warships and submarines that have operated there
of naval unitsk About one fourth of the Soviet
a "southern sea route" ror the interfleet transfer
Pacific. The Indian Ocean has become, in effect,
months in the course of transferring to the
normally operated in the Indian Ocean for a few
Units from the western fleets, however, have
Fleet, which also provides their logistic support.
Indian Ocean normally come from the Pacific
4. The Soviet warships and submarines sent to the
powered submarines--one C class cruise missile
unit~and one V class torpedo attack unit--
operated in the Indian Ocean in 1974 while
transferring from the Baltic and Northern
fleets to the Pacific Fleet. These ships
and submarines were the first of their classes
to operate in the Indian Ocean. They constituted
a more impressive Soviet naval presence than
previously seen in this area. The. Soviet Pacific
Fleet, as a result of the modernization, will have
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available more modern ships, some of which
Ocean spent 80 percent. of their time at anchor or
Until October 1973 the Soviet ships in the Indian
C. Activities of the Soviet Force
Indian Ocean.
could. conduct routine operations in the
at a time when the Soviet contingent had been
annual LENTO naval exercise. The exercise
Ocean contingent conducted surveillance of the
1. In 1973 for the first time the Soviet Indian
that some logistics problems have been overcome.
12 months--twice that of earlier tours--suggesting
forming the basic contingent have been as long as
operating areas. Recent tours of Soviet warships
Soviet ships in the Atlantic and Mediterranean
maintain a lower tempo of naval activity than
in port. Now, although more active, they still
augmented.
2. In December 1974 Soviet ships monitored the 1974
LENTO exercise. During 1974 several US naval
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while they were in the western Indian Ocean.
task forces cruised in the Indian Ocean for brief
periods. .Soviet units monitored these groups
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In mid-1974 the Soviets established a patrol of the
entrance to the Persian Gulf--the Strait of Hormuz.
The patrol, while not continuous, has been
maintained for as long as three months at a time
and on two occasions when US carriers were close by.
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5. In 1974 and early 1975 flag--showing diplomatic
visits to Sri Lanka, Mali, Ethiopia, India, and
Mauritius were made by Soviet warships.
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(Soviet naval
units as well as US and French units, provided
hurricanE relief to Mauritius in early 1975.
a. A port call by a Soviet minesweeper was made
to Hoidida, North Yemen, in early 1975---the
first in several years.
b. Mogadiscio, the capital of Somalia, was visited
by the command ship of the Indian Ocean
contingent during the state visit of Admiral
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Gorshkov. Ordinarily this would have
occasioned a shipboard reception for the
diplomatic community, but there was no
such event. Apparently it was a working
visit for the Admiral.
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II. Logistic Support for the Indian~Ocean Squadron
A. Berbera, Somalia
Although the Soviet navy has no US-type homeport
in the Indian Ocean, most Soviet naval ships
rely on the port of Berbera in Somalia for
minor repairs, periodic replenishment, and
crew rest and recreation during Indian
Ocean deployments. Because of such free access
to Berbera, the Soviets have been able to
double the length of time their ships can
remain on station.
1. Berbera is the only mayor port serving
northern Somalia and is second only to
Chisimaio in commercial activity. The
harbor is well protected and has a free '
and clear. approach with few of the effects
of the southwest monsoon which causes
heavy swells and strong currents at other
Somali ports.
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The main quay has
two alongside berths equipped with fresh water,
power and hoisting machinery, and is normally
reserved for cargo vessels. Soviet naval units
normally tie up at. the eastern service quay.
3. In February 1969, less than a month after the
inauguration of the port's deep-water facilities,
a Soviet guided missile destroyer made a port
call at Berbera. Between 1969 and 1972, Berbera
was visited routinely by Soviet warships on
cruises in the Indian Ocean, but the Soviet
navy maintained no permanent support assets
at the port.
4, Toward the end of 1972 a combination barracks ,
and repair barge was towed to the port and
f
berthed there. A significant increase in
Soviet use of Berbera followed with three
times as many visits by warships in 1973 as
a.ri 19 7 2 .
5, In 1973, during the June to September monsoon
season, Soviet Indian Ocean naval ships spent
long periods in port at Berbera for the first
time. During the winter months they continued
to use the internationl waters around Socotra
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Island as a center for operations, but still
relied heavily on Berbera for routine upkeep
and repl.enisrm~ent and for crew rest and rehabili-
tation,
a. The Soviets have a small storage area at
the pier. Food and water are not plentiful
in the area, however, making it likely that
these are laraely supplied to warships from
Soviet naval auxiliaries.
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c. The barracks and repair barge--together with
some storage or work area on the pier--constitute
the Soviet ship maintenance capability at
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Berbera.. There is no capability to lift
even the smallest Soviet ships out of the
water at #serbera.
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~. The existing Berbera airfield consists of two
sand strips both under 5,000 feet long. It
i.s suitable only for light transport aircraft..
g. Anew airfield, however, is being built at
Berbera within two miles of the Soviet missile
storage and ha.ndli.ng facility. The runway
will apparently be long enough for the largest
Soviet aircraft: Soviet use of an airfield
at Berbera would improve their ability to
support their naval forces in the Indian
.Ocean and provide rapid resupply from the
USSR.
B. Aden, South Yemer_
Just over 100 miles to the north, across the Gulf
of P.den from Berbera, is the port of Aden in the
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People's Democratic Republic of Yemen. Admiral
Gorshkov, Soviet Deputy Minister of Defense and
Commander in Chief of the Soviet Navy, made an
official visit to Aden in December 1974 when he
visited Somalia. `
1. Aden's port is visited frequently by Soviet
auxiliary ships for water, food, and
occasionally fuel. Soviet naval ships do
not usually take on fuel from non-Soviet
sources.
2. The Soviet Navy increased its use of the port
in the summer of 1974. Much of the logistic
support for the Soviet mine-clearing operations
in the Strait of Gubal came from Aden. In
addition, Soviet naval ships in 1974 began
extensive use of an anchorage area adjacent
to the port where they are serviced by Soviet
logistic ships. The helicopter ship Leningrad
was serviced by logistic ships at this
anchorage last September,
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3. Aden~s nearby international airfield may
provide the Soviet Indian Ocean.contingent
with a transport connection to the USSR.
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Soviet warships to Basra.
2. The port of Umm Qasr in Iraq was developed,
in part with Soviet ecoryomic assistance.
The Iraqi naval facility at this port was
also constructed with Soviet help and the
Soviets have provided ships and training
to the Iraqi navy. Warships of the Soviet
Indian Ocean contingent have visited the
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more to this base. Soviet warships, including
those which operated in the Strait of Hormuz,
have visited the support ships in Basra and
probably received support services from them.
On other occasions support ships have accompanied
C. Iraq
1. Warship visits have been made to the major
Iraqi port of Basra--probably to the Iraqi
naval base there. Soviet naval support ships
have made extended visits of six months or
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port and nearby anchorages for brief periods
from as early as 168.
D. India
The Soviets helped build Indians naval base at
Vizakhapatnam and have equipped the Indian Navy
with minor warships and diesel 'submarines. Never-
theless, New Delhi has not granted the Soviets
special access to Indian ports, nor is it likely
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to do so in the foreseeable future.
E, Singapore
Soviet naval auxiliaries regularly call at
Singapore as they enter and exit the Indian Ocean.
Since May 197 Soviet naval support ships have been
serviced in the commerical drydock facilities
there, thus relieving the burden on the crowded
facilities of~the Soviet Far East.
F. Floating Bases
The Soviet navy still relies heavily on "floating
bases"---groups of auxiliary ships--to support
their Indian Ocear_ units. Thy most frequently
used ocean anchorages--Tin addition to those
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close to Aden and Um?n Qasr--are near the island
of Socotra and in the Chagos Archipelago where
the Soviets have implanted mooring buoys.
1. To serve the ships at anchor, Soviet logistic
ships take on supplies at such ports as
Colombo, Sri Lanka and Port Louis, Mauritius
to supplement those brougYit from the Soviet
ports.
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2. It also would facilitate the logistic support of
ships- in-the Indian Ocean and reduce Soviet
dependence on littoral countries.
and deliveries of military aid.
4. A few warships from the Mediterranean squadron
probably would be sent to the Indian Ocean once
the canal opens.
a. Because of the higher priority of Soviet
naval operations i.n the Mediterranean and the
need to maintain a strategic reserve in the
Black Sea, the Soviet Pacific Fleet would
still be the chief source of supply for
surface combatants and the only source for
submarines for the Indian Ocean. Support.
ships could be drawn from the Black Sea
and the Pacific on a nearly equal basis.
5. The USSR probably recognizes that the canal is
subject ;.o closure in a crisis. The Soviets would
not wish to be caught w~:th a substantial portion
of available units on the wrong end of a blocked
canal, and in considering this contingency they
almost certainly would give priority to their
Mediterranean squadron,
B. The Soviet naval presence is believed to be one element
of a total program for establishing Soviet political
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3. A reopened canal would expedite interfleet transfers
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include economic assistance, military trade and, aid,
as well as classical diplomatic and commercial relations.
In these areas, however, the Soviets have many
competitors. Tn naval power they probably consider
the US and France as significant competitors, and
Iran as the major indigenous force. Because the Soviet
navy in the Indian Ocean has a different kind of
mission with a lower priority than that for other
areas, the military capabilities of this force will:
probably never match those for forces in the Atlantic,
Pacific, or Mediterranean waters. As the total
resources of the Soviet navy grow, however, those
devoted to the Indian Ocean can be expected to
increase.
1. We believe the Soviet buildup will be gradual,
resulting in a continuously deployed force
of 10-12 combatants by 1977.
2. 4Ve believe this buildup will consist of
increasingly more modern. ships and submarines.
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3. We also expect the Soviets to increase their
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naval air operations in this area,
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I
1731 80
02200020
002-8
In
d
Class
ia
Iran
France
Aircraft Carriers 1
-
'-
Light Cruisers 2
-
-
Submarines 8
-
-
Guided Missile Frigates -
-
1
Guided Missile Destroyers -
3
1
Guided Missile Destroyer Escorts -
4
-
Guided Missile Patrol Boats 8
-
1
Destroyer Escorts 19
-
3
Coastal Patrol Ships/Craft 9
14
3
Mine Warfare Ships 8
4
5
Amphibious Warfare Ships 4
16
1
Auxiliary/Logistics Ships 17
12
3
Large Gun Boats -
7
4
Air Cushioned Vehicles -
12
-
Submarine Chaser 2
-
-
TOTALS 7$
72
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Indian N ayy
Of the countries bordering the Indian Ocean,
India has the largest maritime force. It probably
could defeat any of the regional navies in the north,
although its combat effectiveness is limited by
obsolescent equipment, poor maintenance, and an
inadequate logistics system. Most of the major
combatants are based at Bombay. A few of them are
at Vishakhapatnam, and some of the minor contingents
are located at Cochin in the south, and at Port
Blair in the Andaman.Islands.
Iranian Navy
Iran's major combatants--three destroyers, four
destroyer escorts, and some coastal patrol boats--
are based at Bandar Abbas, at the entrance to the
Persian Gulf. These ships limit their patrols to the
Persian Gulf, the Strait of Hormuz, and the Gulf of
Oman .
French Navy
'I~he French navy is one of the.. -chief means by
which Paris shows support for its interests in the
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Indian Ocean. A maritime zone has been established
under a unified command that covers the Indian and
Antarctic Oceans. Following the loss in 1973 of their
base and communications facility at Diego Suarez on
Madagascar, the French have relied on floating command
and support facilities.
The Indian Ocean command maintains a permanent
flotilla consisting of three destroyer escorts, one
command ship, two motor gun boats, one utility landing
craft, and a repair ship. The French also .maintain a
small naval contingent at Djibouti in the Territory
of the Afars and the Issas along the Gulf of Aden.
This force consists of two motor gun boats, one
guided missile patrol boat, three patrol craft, and
about five minesweepers.
In reaction to what it perceives as growing Soviet
and US influence in the area, Paris began taking
measures early last year to increase its naval presence
in ..the Indian Ocean. Since that time, the French
have been rotating small groups of warships every six
months. The group there now consists of a guided
missile frigate, a guided missile destroyer, and an
oiler.
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