Office of the Historian

407. Memorandum From the Deputy Director for Intelligence (Cline) to Acting Director of Central Intelligence Carter0

Washington, September 3, 1962.

SUBJECT

  • Recent Soviet Military Activities in Cuba
1.
U-2 photography of 29 August confirms extensive Soviet military deliveries to Cuba in recent weeks. Surface-to-air missile (SAM) sites, guided missile boats, and additional land armaments were observed.
2.
The photography shows eight SAM sites being set up. One probable assembly area has been identified and SAM equipment has been located at one additional site.
A.
The small amount of permanent construction at these sites and the speed of the work indicate the program is proceeding on a crash basis.
B.
Some of these sites could be operational within a week or two.
C.
A minimum of 125 technically trained personnel will be required to operate each site.a
1.
This figure excludes security and support personnel.
2.
No indications that Cubans are trained for SAMs. Soviet personnel doubtless will man the sites for at least the 9 to 12 months while Cubans are being trained.
3.
Additional SAM sites probably will be set up in the near future.
A.
All sites now confirmed are in the Western one-third of the island.
1.
The one area of SAM activity in Oriente province probably will be followed by several others in the vicinity.
2.
Defector and clandestine reports from Las Villas province indicate that at least two sites will be located there, but no confirmation or definite locations thus far.
B.
The pattern now emerging suggests as many as 24 sites may eventually be set up—enough to blanket the entire island.
4.
At least 8 Komar-class missile boats have been delivered to Cuba in recent weeks.
A.
These PT-like boats carry two missile launchers each, with the radar guided missile effective against surface targets to ranges of between 15 and 17 miles. The missile carries a 2,000 lb. HE warhead.
B.
Some Cuban naval personnel have received training in the USSR, but it is not known if this included Komar training.
C.
These boats are in addition to 13 or more torpedo boats and 6 submarine chasers delivered by the USSR earlier this year.
5.
The photography shows that current deliveries to Cuba also contain land armaments, including tanks and possibly self-propelled guns.
A.
Reports indicate other shipments have contained artillery, tanks, and possibly combat aircraft, but these are not confirmed.
B.
The photography of 29 August turned up the highest number of MIG aircraft yet noted, some 37.
1.
We believe Cubaʼs aircraft inventory includes approximately 60 MIG jet fighters, including at least a dozen MIG-19s.
2.
No MIG-21s or any type of bomber have been noted.
6.
Soviet shipments of military equipment and personnel to Cuba show no sign of letting up.
A.
About 16 Soviet dry-cargo ships are now en route to Cuba, of which at least 10 probably are carrying military equipment.
1.
Total number of military or military-related shipments to Cuba since the current deliveries began in mid-July may be as high as 65.
2.
Routine Soviet deliveries of economic aid and trade goods are being made largely on Western ships.
B.
At least 1,700 Soviet military technicians arrived in Cuba in late July and early August in connection with these military activities.
1.
Most of these Soviets appear to be involved in setting up SAM facilities but thus far we cannot conclude that this is their only objective.
C.
At least 1,300 more Soviets are arriving unannounced this week; no reports on their activities so far.
1.
Still additional bloc personnel probably have arrived on some of the cargo ships.
Ray S. Cline1
  1. Source: Central Intelligence Agency, DDI Files: Job 89-T01385R, Box 1, Cuba Crisis (cont.). Top Secret.↩
  2. Printed from a copy that bears this typed signature.↩