Interesting Cold War era threat assessment - Soviet point of view

[shahadi]

Yes, the report is interesting. However, I am not sure how to read it. Since the armaments are not listed alphabetically or in some other order, it appears that the ratings are per line comparisons between the Soviet armaments v probable enemy. Thus, an armament rating is not absolute but more likely relative to the armament of the probable enemy listed on the same line. Or, it could mean the rating is relative to all like armaments within the same category.

Thus, the PT-76 is compared to the AMX 13/75mm gun with the SS11B-1 as 0.48 to 0.80 respectively. Or, the PT-76 rating of 0.80 is compared to all vehicles in same category of "TANKS AND SELF-PROPELLED ARTILLERY, INFANTRY COMBAT VEHICLES, ARMORED PERSONNEL CARRIERS."

Further, I am not sure of the usefulness of the comparisons of combat potential as the document states, "referenced
above that the comparisons contained in these documents were calculated on the basis of mathematical methods based on the use of a computer. Source was unable to ascertain what factors went into the mathematical equations."

We really do not know what combat potential measures.

IMHO

Later, I followed the URL to the Freedom of Information Act portal on the CIA web site under the historical collections and found a number of collections of varied appeal, namely: The Bay of Pigs Release, CIA Analysis of WARSAW Pact Forces, and the 1973 Arab-Israeli War.

Thank you Exiled Penguin.