Handbook on the Cuban Armed Forces.
Abstract
Cuba's Ministry of the Revolutionary Armed Forces (MINFAR) is composed of the regular components-the Army, the Navy and the Air and Air Defense Force-plus the paramilitary Youth Labor Army, and Civil Defense. The Ministry of Interior (MININT) has two military units-the Special Troops and the Border Guard Troops-as well as the paramilitary Department of State Security. Fidel Castro and his brother, Raul, who hold the top two positions in the military, the government, and the Cuban Communist Party, clearly control the country. The two have built an unusually united, disciplined, ideologically indoctrinated, and combat-experienced military force which is one of the strongest in Latin America. The Cuban military has made major improvements . Its organization, strategy and tactics are modeled on those of the Soviet military; however, there are significant differences based on Cuba's less sophisticated equipment and lower manpower levels. The repetitive training and strict compartmentalization produces a well-trained but specialized soldier, who follows orders unquestioningly. Cuban tactics are designed to exploit the capabilities of the infantry, although the military is improving its armored capabilities. The military is equipped primarily with conventional Soviet arms, most of which are secondline. However, the Cubans have recently acquired some firstline Soviet equipment, such as a few ZSU-23A self propelled 23-mm Antiaircraft craft guns and the BM-21 (40-round) Rocket Launchers. (RWJ)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 01, 1979
- Accession Number
- ADA291008
Entities
Organizations
- Defense Intelligence Agency