RESPECTIVE REARMAMENT (S-2863)

Created: 10/1/1968

OCR scan of the original document, errors are possible

CIA HISTORICAL REVIEWIN8

I- The Soviet Union nearly has restored Arab* arms Inventories to their7 levels and has greatly increased its technical assistance toib armed forces. -Despite Arab improvements, notably in aircraft and air defense, the Israelis holdnd probably will retain for tbe next year at leastn overall military advantage.

military deliveries8 havepre-war rate, far belo* the peak reachedhefollowing the June war. This slowdown reflectsnear completion of resupply and the limitations onto absorb additional equipment.

date, the Soviets have replaced almost all ofcombat equipment lost by the Arab countrlea,all of the jet fighters and bombers, although theresupply varies from country to country.

the next year or so, Soviet deliveriesbring Arab weapons inventories somewhat above pre-war levels.

1. Completion of deliveries under agreements signed be'ore and immediately after the June war would virtually restore the pre-war inventory levels.

* Tills assesoZent applies to Egypt, Syria, Algeria, Iraq, and Jordanroup. Jordan, however, has not received any urns irom the USSB.

2. AsrcesoDts signed in tlie lato Giroor with the UAHocolbly other Arab countries ere tho baslo for soac evjenaion of inventories especially of aircraftbeyoad pre-vcr levels.

now types of ruijor BlXltary cqulroicnt archave been delivered that vera not already in Arabearcarked for delivery prior to the June vor. Thereunconflrecd reports that Vootera observersSCUD bailie tic nicoilcG ln the UAH.

Inprovacents in Arab, notably Egyptian, airthro ugh hardened stwltcra for fighters, andlow-altitude radar, ond ccavcatloeal AAA haveto tho kind of cevacttting first ctrlko thein tho Juno var.

P. Shortcomingo in araod forces training and leadership continue to bo tho most carious drawback ia Arab military capabilltloBie Icraol.

Corrective actions vlll bo slow in producics result* dosplto tho largo infusion of SovietiGtance porcoonol who now total aboutbout triplenhar pro cent prior to tho June war.

These advisors arc largely coaccntratod in tho,, end.

-2-

II. Soviet fleot and air visits cad tho use of Arab facilities fllr.ee tho war add to the dlr-cncioas of Soviet presence end support for tho Arabs.

A. Slaco Juno VjCj, Soviet fleeto =ido prolonged visits to Alexandria and Port Said ia the UAR as veil aa frequent visits to Latshiain. Ia addition, Sovietet radium bocbers have cade flights to the UAR aad Syria.

1. 'oo visits provldo visablo evidence of Goviat

support far tho Arabs, and serveeterrent to

Israeli attacks against port aad other facilities vhoro

tho Soviets ore present.

i There is ovtdoaco that tlie Soviotfi have used iKgyptlan iaellitteo for intelligence activities in the area.

S. oviot Union is using selected facilities in tho UAR for support of ito fleot operations, although it apparently lo not interested In establishing forcai base rights.

These facilitiesuel storage olto at Port Said,avel repair facility at Alexandria.

Tho Soviets reportedly arc ovcrtonlng tho operation of tho Ai-Xubbari ship construction and repair facilities at Alexoudria, and vlll purchase soco of tho cccwrclnl vessels tho yard produces.

HI. Bm eilitnry resuppiy situation ia the Individual Arab countries chapes up brlofiy an follovoi

*" stt the icajor Arab Qllitary contender, has restored ite jet richter laveatory to almostercent of its pro-uor level und BOM has hardened shelters for virtually allgbiero. Its bosbcr. end ground aquipscnt otronjth approaches pro-June levels, naval strength Ins been ou^aeatod through roplaecscnt of eono older destroyers and cubsarlzes nod through Increased holdings of eulded elselie patrol boats. Both air and coastal defences have been licprovod.

B" a*Jet fienters ccoparod vith ita prc-varcd cna bouse ail its jet fighters la hardened shelters. Lasses In tanks aad noet other ground force cqulpnent baVfl been largely replaced.

has replaced all tl of the jet fighters and

7 of theight bcabero scat to the UAR during the June hostilities. Theank* transferred to the UAR in Juno have been replAced and inventories of the so and othor ground forces eouipaent are approximately tho aaaa as prc-var.

nowet fighters ccarored to Most othor categories of isllitary equipment alsoto be above prc-var levelsnesultdeliveries under pro-var ogrcoticats.

Original document.

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