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voor de liefhebbers van Soviet submarines :)

Understanding Soviet Naval Developments

Change is sweeping the Soviet Union and affecting Soviet military power. The political structure is evolving erratically from autocracy toward pluralism, creating many views about the utility and requirements for military power. Domestic economic problems are having a major impact on defense industry. Soviet military doctrine, strategy, policy and plans are in a state of flux. It is tempting to see in these changes the disappearance of any potential threat from the Soviet Union. Thus, a clear understanding of Soviet naval developments is more important than ever before. The fact is that neither we nor the Soviets can say with certainty where the current political turmoil will take the Soviet Union or in what form that "Union" will survive. We can say, however, whatever regime emerges will remain a nuclear power with very capable military forces at all levels and will remain the world"s second most powerful maritime power into the next century. Furthermore, technological advances and the utility of "smart" weapons demonstrated during the Gulf War will press security planners to commit resources for force modernization — even at the expense of force size, maintenance and operations. Resource limitations and the evolution of "defensive doctrine" will cause a rethinking of the Navy"s role and utility as a component of the country"s military arsenal.

Publisher: Office of the Chief of Naval Operations, Washington, D.C.; Fifth Edition. edition (1985)

Thanks to Countermeasures :)