-Secret
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DIRECTORATE OF INTELLIGENCE
Intelligence Memorandum
Sources of Military Equipment to Viet Cong and North Vietnamese Military Forces
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ER18
Copy NolSfl
Foreword
This memorandum isisting ofweapons and combat equipment known to be in use by North Vietnamese units in North Vietnam and by North Vietnamese and Viet Cong military units in South Vietnam. Some military-related equipment such as motor vehicles and medical supplies has not been included. The country of origin of each item is reported insofar as intelligence willetermination to be made. Since tho USSR supplies most of the military equipment used by Eastern European countries, some combat materiel attributed to the USSR may be of Soviet manufacture but may actually have been supplied by Eastern Europe. No attempt is made in this memorandum to quantify the weapons and equipment being supplied to theforces. For the most part, data on weapons used in South Vietnam come from analysis of -
captured weapons; data on weapons used in North Vietnam that have not yet appeared in the South arc derived from photography, limited actual observations, and other sources. Data are current through.
CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY Directorate of8
INTELLIGENCE MEMORANDUM
Sources of Military Equipment to VietNorth Vic Enamese Military Forces
Summary
Most of the military equipment and ammunition now being used for the defense of North Vietnam and for the Communist war effort in South Vietnam has been supplied by other Communist countries in recent years. Untilhe Communist forces fighting in South Vietnam were equipped for the most part with old Free World weapons from the French-Indochina War and captured US materiel. Only limited amounts of Soviet and Chinese weapons were in use at that time. Military production in North Vietnam is limited to small amounts of in-fantry weapons, mortars, and grenades, some of which have been observed in South Vietnam. North Vietnam serves primarily as the funnel for the infiltration into South Vietnam of military supplies from other countries.
communist China and the USSR have been the major donors of military equipment to Northand to Communist forces in the South, but some infantry weapons, mortars, rockets, and light artillery have come from North Korea and the Eastern European countries. Most of the more complex materiel for the defense of North Vietnam has come from the USSR, including heavier field and antiaircraft artillery, theissile system, more advanced radar and aircraft, and
note: This memorandum was produced solely by CIA.prepared by the Office of Economic. and las*been coordinated with the Office of Strategic Research, the Office of Current Intelligence, and the Director's Special Assistant for Vietnamese Affairs.
various typos of armored vehicles.* China has supplied most of the infantry weapons, mortars, and rockets used in South Vietnam. Antiaircraft artillery upmm, ammunition for howitzers and field guns upara, andight tanks have also been captured in the South. Most of this equipment has been supplied by the USSR,ew smaller antiaircraft and field guns from Communist China and Poland have been observed. Infantry weapons from North Korea, East Germany, Bulgaria, Czechoslovakia, and Rumania have also been observed in South Vietnam.
The weapons now being used by Communist forces in North and South Vietnam include equipment still used extensively by Soviet, Eastern European, and Chinese armed forces. Most of the weapons observed in the Southere manufactured since the
Korean War,
L
Some observed equipment
isting of Communist military equipment in North and South Vietnam, by country of origin, see the Appendix*
South Vietnam six months after leaving
Introduction
Sinceommunist military forces in North and South Vietnam have been equipped increasinglyodern family of weaponsby other Communist countries. eapons of Free World origin accounted for almostercent of those captured in South Vietnam. Host of these were older French models, holdovers from the French-Indochina war, as well as captured US equipment. North Vietnam's inventory ofequipment5 consisted largely of older infantry equipment left by the French and some ground equipment, propeller aircraft, and naval craft supplied by Communist countries during the.
With the initiation of the Rolling Thunder program5 and Hanoi's increasing direct involvement in the war in the South, both North Vietnamese and Viet Cong regular forces have been equipped with modern weapons, including types that are standard equipment within the Communist donor countries. North Vietnam's defenses have been greatly expanded and strengthened by theofnd supersonicet fighters and theissile system as well as
by the addition of light and medium antiaircraft artillery and radar. The USSR has been the major contributor to the buildup of North Vietnam's air defense. Communist China has upgraded North Vietnam's naval capability and has provided most of the infantry weapons used by North Vietnamese and Viet Cong forces. The European Communist countries are not known to have suppliedquantities of weapons to North Vietnam or to the Communist forces in the South. However, the fact that the armed forces of these countries are equipped with large amounts of materielin the USSR makes it probable that some of the captured equipment nominally of Soviet origin actually may have been provided by the European Communist countries.
Ground Equipment
Infantry Weapons
Vietnam has had to rely on for the vast amount of infantry weapons
--seeRirr
and ammunition required for its forces in North Vietnam and for the reequipping of the Viet Cong and North Vietnamese forces fighting in South ew light infantry weapons, grenades, and ammunition are manufactured in North Viatnam. Ccxnmunist China has been the major source of infantry weapons, and smaller amounts are supplied by the USSR, the Eastern European Communistand North Korea (see Most of the combat materiel furnished Communist forces in South Vietnam is infiltrated from North Vietnam throughlthough small amounts probably arethrough Cambodia.
regular forces in NorthVietnam are now equipped primarilyinfantry weapons. Almost all ofobserved in South Vietnamn Communist countries have beenWar vintaqe.**
nsome
being captured as soon as six to nine monthsthe factory. ew Soviet snipercarbines and themmwere manufactured prior USSR and the Eastern European Communisthave supplied weapons manufacturedthes, most of these are stillin their own armies. Sovietof recentmm recoilleso gun,mmgrenade launcher, andm Eastern Europoan infantryincludemn
assault rifle,mm antitank grenade launcher, andnun recoilless gun.
Mortars and Rockets
USSR and China continue to be theof mortars and rockets for the Communist
* Eastern European Communist countries supplying weapons have included Bast Germany, Poland,Rumania, and Bulgaria* Although no tfea-pons of Hungarian manufacture have been observed, reports indicate that Hungary has supplied small amounts of infantry combat materiel.
Observed enemy weapons are those that have been photographed 1
Thismall but representative
forces in North and South Vietnam. The Chinese havemm,m mortars and several types of rockets. The USSR hasmm mortarsm rockets as well as ammunitionmmm mortars. m mortar ammunition produced in North Korea was captured in South Vietnam in in additionarge number of single-tube rocket launchers. Communist offensive capability in South Vietnam has been strengthened recently by the additionm multiple rocket launcher, first observed in These weapons give enemy forces an increased capability for inflicting damage to Allied supply bases and airfields and represent an awesome threat if used forfirings on urban areas.
Field and Antiaircraft Artillery
The USSR has supplied most of the larger field and antiaircraft artillery pieces. Light artillery weapons of Chinese origin have also been observed, and reports indicate that Czechoslovakia/ Poland, and Hungary have contributed someartillery {see Both the Soviets and Chinese have given field artillery still regarded as standard in Communist armies, includingmm howitzer. nun field gun and ammunition form corps gun have been observed in South Vietnam. In addition, ammunition for theam field gun, the largost caliber field gun normally used by Soviet and Eastern European armed forces, has recently been captured.
Antiaircraft artillery in North Vietnammmam guns supplied by the USSR and possibly by China as well as Soviet andmmmm,mm, andmra weapons. mm antiaircraft weapon
is the standard light automaticused by Warsaw Pacthileis the newest addition to the Soviet*,of antiaircraft-
irt antiaircraft weapons of Czechoslovak origin in North Vietnam. The
* The Warsaw Pact countriec include the USSR, East Germany, Hungary, Poland, Czechoelovakia, Rumania, and Bulgaria*
mmm weapons are more mobile andigher rate of fire thanmm weapon, and the addition of large numbers would significantly upgrade North Vietnam's defense capability against low-altitude fighter aircraft.
efforts to create in Southeffective air defense system, initiated byCong inere confirmed in Julythe discovery of Polish and Chineseartillery ammunition. Sinceantiaircraft weapons that are initram guns and theweapon have been observed in South Vietnam.
Surface-to-Air Missile Systems
USSR introduced equipment forurface-to-air missile {SAM}into North Vietnamll ofpositioned in the Hanoi-Haiphong area. the SAM air defense system has beenan additionaloattalions, most ofin the Hanoi-Haiphong area, althoughbeen extended over most of North Vietnam. have yet been moved into Southoperating conditions and USlimited the effectiveness of the SAMUS aircraft over North Vietnam, itMoscow's most complex and costlyto North Vietnam's air defense system.
toodified FanA-2been noted in the Hanoi-Haiphong area,configuration from any known Soviet variantFan Song. Equipment observed with some ofFan Song's indicates that the radars may
be of Soviet origin, although the Chinese have the capability to produce them.
Armor
USSR is the major supplier of armor
to North Vietnam, but China reportedly has sent in medium tanks andew of the assault guns and armored personnel carriers given to China by the USSR durings. Czechoslovakia reportedly hasumber of armoredcarriers, but these have not yet beenby observation. The North Vietnamese Army xs estimated to have two armored regiments with an
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inventory consisting primarily of Soviet and5ediumew of which have been reported in South Vietnam. These models are still widely used by Soviet, Eastern European, and Chinese armies, as are most of the other items of armored equipment carried in the current North Vietnamese inventory. ommunist attack in8 against the US Special Forces camp at Lang Vei was the first instance of armor being used by the enemy in South Vietnam. Themphibious tank used in this attack is the standard reconnaissance tank of Soviet and Eastern European forces.
Radar
Vietnamese Communists1 radara mixture of Soviet and Chinese types withand British radars that were originallythe USSR and the Republic of China duringII. AlJtiost all the radars currently usedand South Vietnam were designed bys and subsequently copied by Only fire-control radars are in useVietnam, The fire-control radars knownassociated with North Vietnamese and Vietunits were first produced in theands, but are stillwith most Soviet, Eastern European/antiaircraft artillery units. Most ofground-control-interceptsupplied by the USSR and Chinas, although the USSR has givena few models from thes. Chinese radar of late design in Norththe Cross Legs EW/GCI, first produced
Comnunications Equipment
equipment being suppliedNorth Vietnamese and Viet Cong is primarily
of Soviet and Chinese origin. North Vietnam has produced copieshinese transceiver and field telephone, as well as receivers of native design. There is evidence of small amounts ofequipment coming from Eastern Europe. Most of the equioment observed in South Vietnam
uj-j .of modols still used extensively in Soviet, Eastern European, and Chinese armed forces.
Communications equipment recently captured in South Vietnam Includes parts associated with theobile high-frequency station, the USSR's largest and most complicated. ould be used to communicate directly with Moscow and has an output power far in excess of thatto reach Hanoi. Its presence, if proved, would be the first timeas been noted outside the Warsaw Pact countries.
Aircraft
14. Prior to initiation of the US bombing campaign inorth Vietnam's aircraft inventory consisted ofet fighters sent in from Communist China immediately after the Gulf of Tonkin incident in4 and several transport and trainer aircraft from the Soviet Union. After the bombing began, the USSR supplemented China's original shipment ofets and supplied more thanupersonic jet fighters, many of which probably are the morall-weather types. Peking continued deliveries ofighters and may haveews, although their presence in North Vietnam has never been confirmed. At the end of September, North Vietnam hadIG'a, includings. Of this total,nds were deployed at airfields in North Vietnam.
15. The Soviet Union has also provided North Vietnam with eightight jet bombersmall number of helicopters, includingook's, the largest helicopter in the world. In addition to supplyings, the Chinese have permitted the use of sevoral air facilities in southern China for training North Vietnamese pilots, for repair and maintenance of aircraft, andanctuary for North Vietnamese aircraft. The Eastern European countries have not provided aircraft to Northbut Czechoslovakia has engaged inumber of advanced North Vietnamese pilots. No Communist jet aircraft have been detected over South Vietnam, although the capability to stage such flights exists.
Naval
he Cnineseprovided most of Northurrent inventory of aboutmall
naval craft and an unknown number of armed landing craft. The USSR has sent only twootor torpedoew armed landing craft, and twolass motor orth Vietnam hadotor torpedo (PT) boats andatrol craft of both Soviet and Chinese origin. The eight to ten patrol craft destroyed by US aircraft4 were quickly replaced by China. S, Chinese shipyards have continued to supply Hanoi with new naval craft and to repair older models. ecent notableto North Vietnam's naval inventory is theHuohvan-claBs hydrofoil-stabilized motor torpedo boat, first produced in
Communist Weapons Observed in South Vietnam
of Weapon
of Origin
First Observed
Pistol
m Pistol withm Pistol
aliber Targetmm Sniperm Carbine
ra Carbine riflemm Assault rifle
m Assault rifle antitank rifle grenade a/
m Assault riflerifle grenade a/
m Submachine gun
m Light machinegun
m Heavy machinegun
m Heavy machinegunmm Light machinegun ammuni' tion
m Heavy machinegun
China
Vietnam
Germany
Vietnam
Korea
5
67
Germany
8
<
E
Korea
os lovakia
ze choslovakia
Vietnam
6(
Communist Weapons Observed in South Vietnam (Continued)
of Weapon
of Origin
First Observed
(Continued)
Heavymm Antitank grenade launcher. RPG-2
m Antitank grenade launcher RPG-7
grenade launcher
rifle
rifle
gun
Flamethrower, LPO-50
Mortars and Rockets
m Mortar
m "'a'*-' nun Mortar
m Mortar
m Mortar ammunition
m Mortarto Rocketm Rocket
m Spin-stabilized rocketra Multiple rocketo Rocketmm Rocket
m Rocket launcher tube
China USSR
North Korea Rumania
USSR
Bulgaria
Rumania
North Vietnam
China
China
USSR
USSR
North Korea
Bulgaria China
China
North Vietnam
USSR
China
USSR
China
North Korea
North" Vietnam
USSR
China
China
China
China
USSR USSR USSR USSR
678
Jan Jun Aug Jul
Mar
Jun
75
67
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Table 1
Communist Weapons Observed in South Vietnam (Continued)
of Weapon
Fiold and Antiaircraft Artillery
m Antiaircraftmm Antiaircraft gun
m Antiaircraft gun
ro Antiaircraft gun
m Antitank field gun
mm Antitank field gun
mm Howitzermm Antitank field gun
am Antitank field gun
m Corps gunm Antitank field gun
ammunition
Radar
Surface search/navigation, Head
Armor
Amphibious light tank, PT-76
Communi cations Equipment
att Transmitter Manpack transmitter,anpack transmitter-receiver,E)
Date First Country of Origin Observed
-
Communist Weapons Observed in South Vietnam (Continued)
of Woopon
in
First Observed
Equipment (Continued)
Manpack vehicular6 3
Naval transmi tter-
Manpack transceiver,anpack transceiver,1
ManpackD ManpackM ManpackD Manpackehicularntenna tuner for vehicular
anpack receiver, eceiver,I Receiver,pare parts for mobile high-frequencyield switchboard,ield1ield3 Field telephone,ieldield1
Field telephone,ield telephone, 2
China
USSR
China
Vietnam
China
Nor tli
USSR
USSR
USSR
USSR
USSR
China China China China
North Vietnam
USSR
a
China
China
China
China
China
China
North Vietnam USSR
Czechoslovakia
Nov Mar Mar Fob May Apr Jul Apr May
Feb7
8
8
.
Both rifle grenades are attachments for the mm assault Poland is the only other Communist country which uses rifU renades on assault rifles.
Tabic 2
Major Communist Weapons in Use in Morth Vietnam
of Weapon
of Origin
Equipment
Antiaircraft Artillery a/
m Heavy machinegun on antiaircraft mounts
m Heavy machinegun on antiaircraftmmm
Field Artillery
m Antitank field gun
m Howitzer
ra Antitank field gun
m Antitank field gun
m Antitank field gun
mype 56
m Howitzer,0
m Corps gun
m Antitank field gun
m Howitzer
m Gun/Howitzer
Surface-to-Air Missile System
SAM firing battalion,/ Radar
Fire Control
USSR/China
USSR/China USSR
Czechoslovakia USSR/China USSR/China USSR/possibly China USSR/possibly China
USSR/China
China
USSR/China
USSR/China
USSR
USSR/China
USSR
USSR
USSR/possibly China
USSR/China
USSR
ussr
Track Fire Can Whiff
USSR
USSR/China USSR/China
Table 2
Major Communist Weapons in Use in North Vietnam
(Continued)
of Weapon
of Origin
Warning/Ground Control
Big Bar B
Score Board
Flat Face
Spoon Rest A
Side Net
One Eye
Dry Rack
Witch Four
Bar Lock
Knife
Rock Cake/Stone Cake
Rus 2
Token
Cross Slot
Dumbo
Hi Dumbo
Moon Face
Cross Legs
USSR
USSR USSR USSR USSR USSR USSR USSR
USSR/China
USSR/China
USSR/China
USSR/China
China
China
China
China
China
light tank, PT-76
Medium5
Medium
Armored car, BA-64
Armored personnel carrier, BTR-40
Armored personnel carrier,
Medium tracked artillery tractor, AT-S
Heavy tracked artillery tractor, AT-T
Tracked1
Assault; gun, SU-76
mm self-propellod automatic antiaircraft gun,
Aircraft
USSR/China USSR/China USSR
USSR/possibly China
USSR
USSR
USSR
USSR
USSR/pos3ibly China USSR
Jet fighter, Fagot/Fraacoo^ fighter, Fishbed
USSR
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Table 2
Major Communist Weapons in Use in North Vietnam
(Continued)
of Weapon
of Origin
(Continued)
et trainer. Midgetight jet bomber, Beagleight transport, Coltransport, Cokeransport, Crateransport, Cootransport, Cabelicopter, Hareelicopter, Houndelicopter, Hook
Naval
USSR USSR
USSR/China
USSR
USSR
USSR
USSR
USSR
USSR
USSR
SO-1
PGM Motor gunboat, Poluahat-1
Motor torpedo boat,
PGM Motor gunboat, Shanghai
PGM Motor gunboat, Swatow
Motor torpedoHydrofoil motor torpedo boat, Huchwan
LCM Armed mechanized landing
YP Patrol craft, Cua Cam
Hungary io supplying unidentified types of antiaircraft artil-lery to North Vietnam.
b, Poland hasmm antiaircraft ammunition but there it no evidence to confirm ite supplying the weapon,
o. ormal Soviet firing battalion includes the Fan Song missili control radar, six launchers, vane, transporters, and an initial complement of nineGuideline" miseiles par launcher. In North Vietnam, firing battalions have varied from two to six launchare with an estimated ten mieeiles per launcher.
Communist Military Equipment in North and South Vietnam
Co^yy ofof Weapon
Communist
m Pistol
m Pistol withmmmm Assaultmmmm Lightmm Heavymm Heavymm Heavymm Antitank grenade launcher, RPG-2
ra Recoillesscm Recoilless rifle Flamethrower, LPO-50
Mortars and Rockets
mmmmmmm Rockot
m Spin-stabilizedm Multiple rocket launcher
Field and Antiaircraft Artillery"
m Heavy machinegun onmounts
m Heavy machinegun onmounts
m Antiaircraft gun
m Antiaircraft gun
m Antitank field gun
m Howitzer
m Antitank field gun
ci Antitank field gun
a Howitzer, type 56
m Howitzer
m Antiaircraft gun m Antiaircraft gun m Antitank field gun (possible)
- '
Country ofof Weapon
Communist
(Continued)
Fire Control
Fire Can Whiff
Early Warning/Ground Control Intercept
Cross Slot Dumbo Hi Dumbo Knifeoon Face
Rock Cake/Stone Cakeross Legs Token
Surface Search/Haviqation
Skin Head Armor
Medium45 Mediumssault gun, SU-76 (possible) Armored personnel carrier,possible)
Communications Equipment
att transmitter Manpack transmitter,anpack transmittor-receiver,)
Manpack vehicularanpack transceiver,anpack1 Antenna tuner foranpack receiver,
Country of Origin
Communist China (Continued)
of Weapon
Communications Equipment (Continued)
Receiver,
Receiver,I
Field switchboard, JCX-1
Field1 FieldB Field3 Fiold telephone,ieldield1
Aircraft
et fighter, Fagot/Frescoight transport, Colt
Naval
USSR
Motor gunboat, Shanghai class PGM Motor gunboat, Swatow class Motor torpedolass PTH Hydrofoil motor torpedo boat, Huohwan class YP Patrol craft, Cua Cam class
Infantry
9-mm Pistol
aliber Targetmn Snipermmmra Assaultmmmm Lightmm Heavymm Heavyram Recoillessmm Recoilless gun
m Antitank grenade launcher,nm Antitank grenade launcher,lamethrower, LPO-50
Mortars and Rockets
m Mortarmm Mortar
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Country ofof Weapon
USSRand Rockets (Continued)
m Mortarmm Rocketm Rocket
m Rocket launcher tube
Field and Antiaircraft Artillery
m Heavy machinegunmm Heavy machinegunnun Antiaircraftmm Antiaircraftmm Antiaircraftmm Antiaircraftro Antiaircraftram Antitank fieldram Antitank fieldmm Antitank fieldm Antitank fieldmmm Corpsm Antitank fieldmm Gun/howitzer
Surface-to-Air Missile Systom
Surface-to-air missile firing battalion, SA-2-
Radar
Fire Control Fire Can
A normal Soviet firing battalion includes the Fan Song missile-oontrol radar, six launchers, vans, transporters, and an initial complement of nineGuideline" missiles per launcher. In North Vietnam, firing battalions have varied from two to six launchers With an estimated ten missiles per launcher.
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of Origin USSR (Continued)
of Weapon-
Radar (Continued)
Fire Control (Continued)
Whiff Beam Track
Warning/Ground Control Intercept
Big Bar B
Score Board
Flat Face
Knife
Spoon Rest a
Rock Cake/Stone Cake
Side Not
ne Eye Dry Rack Witch Four Bar Lock Token
Armor
Amphibious light tank, PT-76
Medium45
Medium
Assault gun, SU-76
Armored porsonnel carrier, BTR-40
Armored personnel carrier,
mn self-propelled automatic
antiaircraft gun,rmored car, BA-64
Medium tracked artillery tractor,eavy tracked artillery tractor,racked1
oris Ec uipno r. t
Naval transmitter-receiver, ManpackD ManpackM ManpackD Manpackehicularpare parts for mobile high-frequency
ield telephone, TA-57
Country of Origin USSR (Continued)
North Korea
North Vietnam
Type of Weapon
Aircraft
et fighter, Fagot/Fresco
et fighter, Fishbed
et trainer. Midget
ight jet bomber. Beagle
ight transport, Colt
ransport, Coke
ransport, Crate
ransport, Coot
ransport, Cab
elicopter, Hare
elicopter, Hound
elicopter, Hook
Naval
Subchaser,lass
Motor torpedolass
LCM Armed mechanized landing craft
PGM Motor gunboat,lass
Infantry
m Assault rifle
m Light machinegun
m Antitank grenade launcher, RPG-2
m Recoilless gun
Mortars and Rockets
m Mortor ammunition Infantry
mmm Carbine riflemm Heavy machinegun mounts SO-mm Antitank grenade launcher
Mortars and Rockets
m Mortar
m Mortar ammunition
Communications Equipment
Manpackl 1
Receiver, VTS-2
Field1
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Country of Origin Bulgaria
of Weapon
Infantry
m Assaultmm Antitank grenade launcher, RPG-7
an Recoilless gun
i a
try
m Assault rifle
m Light machinegun
m Heavy machinegun
m Light machinegun ammunition
East Germany
Hungary
Poland
mm Antiaircraft gun
Communications Equipment
Field telephone, 2
Infantry
mram Assault rifle
Unknown*
Infantry
m Assault rifle
Antitank rifleragmentation rifle grenade
an Heavy machinegun
*
and Antiaircraftam Antiaircraft gun ammunition
ur:-
Although no weapons of Hungarian manufacture have been observed, reports indicate that Budapaot haa supplied small n
berg of infantry combat materiel and unknown types of antiair-araft artillery.
** Both rifle grenades are attachments formm assault rifle. Poland io the only other Communist country which uses rifle grenades on assault rifles.
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of Origin Poland (Continued)
Rumania
Type of Weapon
Field and Antiaircraft Artillery (Continued)
m Tank gunmm Tank gun ammunition
Infantry
m Assault rifle
s Light machinegun
m Antitank grenade
m Antitank grenade
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Original document.
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