MOVEMENT OF SAM LAUNCH SITES IN CUBA

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP79T00429A001100020056-2
• Release Decision: RIFPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 4
• Document Creation Date: December 20, 2016
• Document Release Date: December 27, 2006
• Sequence Number: 56
• Publication Date: March 29, 1963
• Content Type: MEMO

Approved For Release 2006/12/27: CIA-RDP79T00429AO01100020056-2
SECRET
OCI No. 1210/63
CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY
Office of Current Intelligence
29 March 1963
CURRENT INTELLIGENCE MEMORANDUM
SUBJECT: Movement of SAM Launch Sites in Cuba
1. Since mid-October 1962, when all 24 Soviet
surface-to-air (SAM) missile sites became operational,
there have been six instances of SAM units shifting
location. In two instances--occurring in mid-Octo-
ber 1962--the shifts were minor and temporary to per-
mit construction of permanent facilities. In the
remaining four cases, relocation has changed the pat-
tern of effective coverage.
2. In three of the four significant movements,
the SAM sites were shifted away from the coast and
closer to an important military objective. Reloca-
tion in better terrain appeared to be a secondary,
but important, consideration, since electronic in-
terference has in some cases hindered radar operations.
The changes appeared to be also related to Soviet-
Cuban experience gained in acquiring and tracking
targets coming within the 20-25 nautical mile (n.m.)
effective range of the SAM sites. Details of these
three movements are as follows:
a. Between 15 November and 4 December the SAM
site originally at CABANAS was shifted generally
west about 10 n.m. to the present site at MALDONADO
(2012N-7528W), The present site closes a gap in
coverage'to the north and west, and is farther away
from the US naval base at Guantanamo than the former
location. Terrain hindrance of acquisition or guid-
ance radar as well as drainage problems at the
original location could also have been factors in
the move.
b. Between 27 December and 4 January the SENADO
site was moved about 18 n.m. southwest to its present
location at CAMAGUEY (2122N-7750W), This move ap-
peared to be directed exclusively at providing better
protection for the Camaguey military airfield and
communications center.
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c. Between 12 and 20 January the CHAPARRA site
was moved approximately 15 n.m. south to the present
site at HOLGUIN (2052N-7627W):. The new site is farther
away from the coast and provides better protection for
the Soviet armored camp at Holguin as well as for the
Holguin airfield.
3. The most recent significant redeployment of
the SAM system occurred between 17 and 25 March in
Pinar del Rio Province. On 25 March a new SAM site
was established at MAJANA (2241N-8249W), about 10 n.m.
south of the Soviet armored camp at Artemisa. Six
launchers, 3 hold positions, and an occupied guidance
area have been observed at the new site. The equip-
ment apparently came from the SAM site at BAHIA HONDA
(2257N-8317W), which was evacuated between 17 and 23
March. If this movement is a permanent redeployment
of the Bahia Honda site to Majana--a distance of about
30 n.m.--it is a longer move than has been made in the
past, and is the first such.major relocation in the
western half of the island.
4. Possible factors involved in establishing
a SAM site at Majana are as follows:
a. The new site provides increased air defense
coverage of the military installations at Artemisa,
the major airfield at San Antonio de los Banos, and
the port of Mariel, In all three cases the new cov-
erage overlaps with that already afforded these in-
stallations by the MARIEL (2300N-8249W) or the HAVANA
(2309N-8213W) sites. However, both Artemisa and
the Mariel port are now protected by two instead of
one site, while the San Antonio de los Banos airfield
is now within the perimeter of three sites. This air-
field is the headquarters of the Cuban Air Force.
Since 15 March 40 of the 42 known MIG-21 jet fighters
in Cuba have been deployed there.
b. The abandoned BAHIA HONDA site protected a
part of the northern coast of Pinar del Rio Province
under the perimeter concept of SAM coverage. The
only military installations protected by the site
were the four former San Cristobal MRBM sites--two
of. which are now covered by the MAJANA site. It had
also provided secondary and marginal protection for
the Guerra cruise-missile site in addition to the
primary coverage afforded that installation by the
SAM site at MARIEL. The abandonment of the BAHIA HONDA
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site opens a gap along the northern coast, but one
that includes no important military installations,
5. The major SAM site movements to date and
especially the BAHIA HONDA to MAJANA redeployment
are evidence of a change in the perimeter concept
of air defense coverage to the more traditional So-
viet SA-2 practice of "point defense." In line
with this, further redeployments of SAM units can
be expected.
6. On 30 January a new SAM site was identified
at MANAGUA (2259N-8215W),. By 4 March permanent
facilities were completed, although no missile or
related equipment has been observed to date. There
is insufficient evidence to conclude that the estab-
lishment of the MANAGUA and the new MAJANA sites is
related and forms an eventual new pattern of air
defense. The slow pace and apparent thoroughness of
the construction at the MANAGUA site and its location,
which affords virtually identical coverage with that
of the HAVANA site and access to heavy air traffic,
strongly suggest the new facility may be employed
as a training site for Cubans. Collateral reports
have also indicated that training of Cubans in SAM
operations may be undertaken in this area.
-3-
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Date From Distance and Direction
15 Nov-4 Dec CABANAS About 10 n.m.West
27 Dec-4 Jan SENADO About 18 n.m. Southwest
12 Jan-20 Jan CIIAPARRA About 15 n.m. South
23 Mar-25 Mar BAHIA HONDA About 30 n.m. Southeast
MALDONADO Fills gap in coverage
to N and W of original
location, and is far-
ther away from US base
at Guantanamo. Terrain
may also have been a
factor
CAMAGUEY
HOLGUIN
MAJANA
NOTE: Several additional SAM units have made local, short distance moves from unrevetted to
revetted sites, and for such reasons as better drainage, more effective radar coverage
and as apparent mobility exercises.
Guerra HAVANA
Torrens*?
9ahie Honda ~~Sao+iogo ~e loz Vca~
leabole de Snoua
?
R.,-di.,
s
S.'- < a rao
?
CUBA
SELECTED SO\IFT FORCES AND INSTALLATIONS
Airfield with MIG aircraft
ti Armored group
A Cruise-missile site
Cruise-missile facility
v Cruise-missile training/stand-by facility
? Surface-to air missile (SAM) site
5enie Can dal Nome
SCJ?
Provides better protec-
tion for Camaguey air-
field and commo center.
Provides better coverage
for Soviet armored camp
at Holguin and airfield.
Improves coverage of So-
viet armored camp at
Artemisa, San Antonio de
los Banos airfield, and
Mariel port.
HOLGUIN
Holqu~d
CAMAGUEY
Muaeeailla Q
Sent1o5e / ' ' U.S. Naval fta-
MALDONADO
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