All deployments of E-class submarines de- tected over the past several years have been to locations generally astride ship transit routes. The timing of these construction programs and the changes in mission are among the factors that indicate the Soviets do not intend to use the E-class in the primary mission of strategic strike. ![]() In 1963, when the Navy regained the strategic strike mission, the E-class program was phased out and the Y-class ballistic missile submarine program was initiated. This resulted in the premature cancellation of the ballistic missile submarine construction program at the same time that production of cruise missile submarines was expanded. We know that, in 1959, the Soviet Navy was denied the mission of strategic attack. In the mid-1950's the Soviets began to build both ballistic and cruise i"'s ile firing submarines. The size of the Y-class ballistic missile submarine program argues against such use of the E-class 11eet in the future. These have the range to be used in strategic strikes against US coastal targets but so far we have seen none deployed for this purpose. The bulk of the Soviet cruise missile sub- marine capability is provided by the 33 nuclear- powered E-class submarines. The Soviet cruise missile submarine fleet is believed to have the primary mission of countering naval forces, particularly aircraft carrier task forces. ![]() SUBJECT: Strategic Employment of Soviet Cruise Missile Submarines 1. Approved For Release 1 : CIA-RDP79B00972A000100260018-4 19 November 1968 NSA & ONI Declassification/Release Instructions on File.
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