Page:NATIONAL INTELLIGENCE SURVEY 18; CZECHOSLOVAKIA; ARMED FORCES CIA-RDP01-00707R000200110009-4.pdf/18

 APPROVED FOR RELEASE: 2009/06/16: CIA-RDP01-00707R000200110009-4

2. Strength, composition, and disposition 

The strength of the ground forces is estimated at 143,000 officers and enlisted men. Of these, about 35% are officers and noncommissioned officers who make up the regular cadre. The remainder are conscripts, most of whom serve on active duty for 2 years and then are transferred to the reserves. In addition to the active force, there is a trained ground forces reserve estimated at 1.5 million men. Of these, 282,000 have completed active service in the last 5 years. Five motorized rifle divisions, five tank divisions, one airborne brigade, one artillery and one antitank artillery brigade, and one artillery and one antitank artillery regiment constitute the basic combat strength of the ground forces. In addition, there are various service and support units ranging in size from company to brigade.

Five motorized rifle divisions and three tank divisions are in the Western Military District and two tank divisions are in the Eastern Military District.

The greater density of units is in Bohemia, where better logistic and administrative facilities are located. These units are considered combat ready and could be rapidly deployed against NATO forces. The two tank divisions in the Eastern Military District and one motorized rifle division in the eastern part of the Western Military District are held at relatively low strength, although they are believed to have the required combat equipment on hand and lack only general-purpose vehicles.

The eight divisions in the Western Military District each have a surface-to-surface (FROG—free rocket over ground) battalion, and one division maintains an extra FROG battalion which will be organic to a newly activated division upon mobilization. Three surface-to-surface (SCUD) missile (Figure 6) brigades are available for field army support.

3. Training

Ground forces training has improved during the last several years, and present standards are high by Soviet and other European country standards. Division-level maneuvers have been held regularly for many years, with the possible exception of 1969, and army-level exercises have been conducted periodically. Regular participation in Warsaw Pact command post exercises and maneuvers, particularly in the last few years, has aimed at developing and perfecting command and control procedures in combined operations.

Regular active duty training follows the comprehensive and well-tested Soviet training program which emphasizes the year-round readiness of the ground forces. Training, therefore, no longer begins with small unit exercises in early winter, progressing to division- or army-level exercises in the autumn. Small unit training is conducted throughout the year at close-in training areas when units are at home station, with battalion- and regiment-size units rotating to larger training areas. Large-scale exercises may be held at any time throughout the year and during various weather conditions. In such exercises, regiments frequently represent divisions in simulated combat operations. In this way the readiness of the basic tactical maneuver element is maintained. Frequent command-post exercises and communications exercises are held, and Czechoslovak forces participate in combined training with the Soviet Central Group of Forces as well as in major Warsaw Pact exercises.

Reserve training is mandatory for conscripts who have completed their national service requirements and for those who have participated in ROTC-type programs in the higher schools and colleges. This training can take the form of periodic, short active-duty tours, during which reservists are usually integrated with regular army units. Another method for reserve refresher training became effective 1 July 1964; reserve noncommissioned officers and other enlisted men may fulfill reserve training requirements and avoid a call to active duty by participating after working hours in military training in paramilitary organizations. Almost all reserve officers, however, remain subject to active-duty refresher training.

Political indoctrination constitutes as much as 15% of troop training. This training is conducted by political officers attached to tactical units. Its impact on the overall training program is difficult to assess because—although it takes time that might otherwise be devoted to military training—it also serves to inform the conscript of the regime's policies, gives direction to training, and augments military discipline. Physical training, in the form of regular calisthenics, running of confidence and obstacle courses, and participation in various off-duty sports activities, is also integrated into the field training program.

In close adherence to Soviet doctrine, tactical training stresses offensive combined-arms combat. Emphasis is placed on rapid rates of advance, frequent river crossings, and various aspects of chemical, biological, and radiological training. Training is conducted under varied environmental and climatic conditions, and at least one-third is at night. Special

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APPROVED FOR RELEASE: 2009/06/16: CIA-RDP01-00707R000200110009-4