Intelligence Memorandum
North Korea's Military Forces
CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY Directorate of Intelligence8
INTELLIGENCE MEMORANDUM
North Korea'a Military For-os
Summary
The armed forces of North Korea have thetraining, and equipment to defend the country against its only immediate threat. South Korea, ond to mount limited offensive operations.
The army is smaller than South Korea's, but has superior firepower and strong defensive positions along the Demilitarized Zone. The air force has been receiving modern Sovietets--significantly outmatches its South Korean counterpart. The small North Korean navy is largely restrictedoastal defense role, with Soviet-supplied guided-missile patrol boats and torpedo-attack submarines providing its major punch.
The North Koreans get most of their modernequipment from the USSR. They produce some small arms and mortars and also receive limited amounts of equipment from Communist China.
Note: Thi$ "lencfvandwn was produced aolely by CIA. It uae prepared by the Office of Strategic ifeeeareh and coordinated with the Offices of Currentand Scientific Intelligence.
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5. 6 the amyajor reorganization, in which corps headquarters wore eliminated and five amy groups created. This force structure enables each amy group to executetactical missions.
The Air Force
North Korean air forcendircraft. It is organizedfighter divisions, two independent bomberan air transportivil Airan air school. its forces are stationed on the
ctive airfields in North Korea. (See air defense map, opposite page.) Two additional airfields have recently become operational but do not yet have assigned units. The aircraft inventory includes about armer andishbed fighters, moroagots andrescos, and
eagle jet light bombers. There are also aboutransports,iston trainers,ozenound and three newip helicopters.
The primary nission of the North Korean air force is air defense of the mainland and coastal waters. It also supports the ground forces and can conduct bombing missions Into South Korea or 5 the air force has been conducting extensive training, concentrating on mobilitythe development of intercept techniques against US reconnaissance aircraft off the coasts, and the firing of air-to-air missiles.
The air force is heavily dependent onoutside support to maintain its The majority of itsthe combatof Soviet origin, and much of the technical training is provided in Soviet schools. North Korea also depends on the USSR for spare parts and POL supplies. China provides some equipment, such asolt light transports.
The North Korean air defense system is being improved with the activation of more surface-to-air
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area. earby sea-level tunnel probably leads to an underground dock large enough tor Komar boats.
14. The North Korean navy hasimited offensive capability. Its Komar boats pack the main punch and are capable of limited offensive operations in the Sea of Japan. The crows of the submarines, however, are probably not well enough trained tosizable offensive operations, and the navy's antisubmarine warfare capabilities are limited.
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ElUHIINtMirn
ORDLRS OF BATTLE FOR NORTH AKP SOUTH KOREA
8
Forces Army
Marines US Forces
Navy
Submarines Guided-missile boats Fast patrol boats
(torpedo)oyer/de stroyer
escorts Torpedo boats Subchasers Patrol boats Motor gunboats Minesweepers Amphibious craft Miscellaneous
Air
Total jet fighters Modern fighters
Older fighters
Jet light bombers Training or support aircraft
Northen
en
lass
6 Komar-class
2 Shershen-class
40
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5
en
488
L-28
110
South Korea
en0 in South Vietnam)
en
enivisions]
en
32
bout 90
en
several hundred US land- and carrier based aircraft temporarily deployed following the seizure of the USS Pueblo.
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Original document.
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