COORDINATION OF LAND ARMAMENTS PRODUCTION THROUGHOUT THE SOVIET BLOC

Created: 9/28/1956

OCR scan of the original document, errors are possible

CSM

Copy No.

8

CURRENT SUPPORT MEMORANDUM

COORDINATION OF LAND ARMAMENTS PRODUCTION THROUGHOUT THE SOVIET BLOC

OFFICE OF RESEARCH AND REPORTS

central intelligence agency cia historical review program release as sanitized

COORDINATION OF LAND ARMAMENTSm

wasot tbe -Soviet Bloc power, which

Uon J *eetlngs were conducted on the standardiza-

tion of lend armaments production In tbe Soviet Bloc. Incoming

Jeing made both In theo<methods and la the allocation ofSatellite countries. The USSR, probably

through the Council of Mutual Economic Assistanceaintains

?hrSiii!?PerTJBlOD.S* tn*^produced and virtually makes the decision where the production will take place. 1/ The produclQ*

IT. in tn#thei? own -

TS^*flMl wroval ,or land

a'ncS&'EBaction. The most serious obstacle to the standardization of production was the problem of automation of ammunition/ On thisecent report states that employees of the Research Institute for Mechanization andat Nove Mesto nad Vabom in Czechoslovakia, some of whom were delegates to the Warsaw Conference, have drawnroject for the automation of the production of shell cases ofndm caliber

tBDi This project must be sub-

mitted to Moscow for final approval.3/ Another report tellseeting of Czechoslovak and Hungarian technicians which was held in Budapest lnt which Czechoslovak suggestions were given on Hungarian machinery designed for the production of Infantry ammunition. Tbe blueprints on this machinery vere submitted In the Russian language.*/

egards to munitions production ln the Satellites apparently vas announcedonference of munitions experts of the Warsav Treaty Powers which vas held in Praguein eport on this conference states that the Chairman from the USSR gave the Instructions to each country and that there was little or no discussion.5/ There have been revisions to these instructions which might indicate that the countries do bave some voice in the production as it la finally

that Hungary will produce for tbe European Satellite armies an infantry rifle, an automatic rifle,m anti-aircraft guns and searchlights.7/ According to the Item mentioned above concerning the Hungarian machinery designed for the production of Infantry ammunition, it is probable that Hungary vill also produce small arms ammunition. tudy group, of experts

"lnlstry of Metallurgy and Machine Industry, vere to go to the USSR shortly after6 for instruction ln the production of the materiel to be produced by Hungary.8/ It is not clear yet Just when this production will begin. Ammunitions production in Hungary vaa suspended in In December, it waathot the production of the nev military Items vhlch vaa allocated to Hungary vould not begin until the end Areport, hovever, indicated that this production would get underway

secret

Although there has been no specific indication of whathas been allocated to the other Satelliteew goneral assumptions can be made concerning production inPoland and Best Germany. ReportB from Czechoslovakiathat the new Soviet medium tank,ill soon go into Czechoslovakia continues to carry out her ownand development in the munitions field. ecent

omatieew bipod design form company machine gun have been sent to Moscow

forew type mountain howitzer was also mentionedecent report from New construction at tha largo munitions factory at Dubnlca aad Vahom which has been recentlyends to support ths belief that munitions production will bs Increased in Czechoslovakia.

eport to the Seventh Plenum of the Polish Communist Party Central Committee, First Secretary Bdward Ochab told of the creationtrong defense industry in Poland ln the course of thesars. This industry allegedly produces new cannon, tanks. Jet planes, and radar With tbe tremendous effort involved ln the development of this industry and with the publicity which has been given to the Polish defense industry, it ls likely that Poland will rroduco for the Satellite countries some of the same Items which are produced by. medium tanks and artillery.

Bast Germany appears to have been expecting an increased demand for bar armaments production upon the creation of the Bast German Army. Prior to the organization of the Defense Ministry, an Office for Technical matters was set up to coordinate the production and procurement of military end items for the Bast German Armed Forces. This office was set up apparently in response to instructions from the CEMA in n order was drafted to insure the supply of technicians and workers needed for the industrial andestablishments working for the national defense pro- The promulgation and implementation of this order have not yet been accompllehed. These points, together with reportedof nev ammunition production facilities at EoenlgswarthalS/ and continued reporting of small arms production atndicaTe that Bast Germany will be producing some munitions at leasT for her own forces under tha overall coordination of Moscow.

Analyst!

Coord :

ti Cm CS,nformationIA. CS,nformationA

CIA. CS,nforaatlon

CIA. CS,nformation/

CIA. CS,nforaatlon

CIA. Homo toroduction of Postwar Soriet

Weapons ln the3

CIX nformation/

Ibid

Zriy,7

CS, op. cit.,ay 56

CS,nformation CIA. CS,ay 56

Memo"totems of Current Industrial

Intelligence,

Memo loroduction of Hew Weapons In

Czechoslovakia,

CIA": CS, isnforaatlon, 8/

Army, Prague DA1

Air,,nforaatlon, 8

CIA. FBISG-9, OFF USB

Arm*. ACSI r.t M. C

8

Air, USAFBnformation Jan M Cla. nformation to/

I Group, DSARBTOIC,0nforaatlon

to

Air, USAFB0nforaatlon to

secret

Original document.

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