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APPROVED FOR RELEASE: 2009/06/16: CIA-RDP01-00707R000200070031-4


advanced fighter and transport aircraft, may have to be accomplished in the Soviet Union.

Poland has a moderate-size aircraft industry that is currently producing medium helicopters, small transports, and utility aircraft. In the past the industry has produced Soviet-designed FRESCO (MiG-17) fighters, and they have sought approval to manufacture the FISHBED (MiG-21) but were refused by the Soviets. The aircraft industry is still producing replacement engines and spare parts for the older aircraft. There are three airframe plants, two aircraft engine plans, and one aircraft research and development facility of significance. As the Air Force continues to re-equip with new Soviet-built aircraft, dependence upon the Soviets for replacement engines and spare part will increase progressively.


B. Surface-to-Air Missiles

The organization for surface-to-air logistics is dependent upon Soviet concepts and assistance for effective operation. Replacement components for the Soviet-produced SA-2 system are obtained from the Soviet Union. However, some of the general-purpose vehicles and equipment are probably manufactured in Poland.

The basic logistic unit is the SAM support facility, a battalion-size unit that is generally located with each SAM regiment headquarters. A support facility receives and stores component parts; performs missile assembly, fueling, and checkout procedures; and delivers missiles for as many as six SA-2 sites. On-site logistic activities appear limited to routine supply, maintenance, and testing procedures.

There is no known SAM depot in Poland. SAM resupply items or complete components may be shipped directly from the USSR through air and air defense command depots to the SAM support facilities.


F. Militarized Security Forces (S)

The Internal Defense Forces, the Frontier Guard, and the Territorial Defense Forces, constitute the militarized security forces. The Internal Defense Forces and the Frontier Guard were transferred from the Ministry of Internal Affairs to the Ministry of National Defense in 1965. In 1971, however, the Frontier Guard was resubordinated to the Ministry of Internal Affairs and probably would revert to the Ministry of National Defense control only in time of war.

Under the new National Territorial Defense system, the militarized security forces have become primarily responsible for providing ground forces for the internal defense of the country to include defense against enemy action on Polish territory and internal subversion, protection of borders and lines of communication, and assistance in the neutralization of enemy nuclear strikes in the country.


1. Internal Defense Forces

The Internal Defense Forces (WOW) have about 25,000 men. This force is organized into two brigades and 15 regiments and is deployed throughout the country. Generally there is one brigade or regiment in each province, with the headquarters usually at the provincial capital. The units are deployed near government installations and other sensitive points. Initially equipped mainly with infantry weapons, these units are receiving armored personnel carriers and medium tanks, and since their resubordination to the Ministry of National Defense have been notably active in military field training exercises related to their territorial defense mission.


2. Frontier Guard

The Frontier Guard (WOP) totals 20,000 troops, plus a 2,600-man coast guard element included under navy strength. The guard is organized into 12 brigades. Although units are stationed along the entire perimeter of the country, they are concentrated along the shores of the Baltic and in the Western border regions. Headquarters elements of the brigades are usually located in cities several miles from the border and near the center of the unit's area of jurisdiction. The Frontier Guard is equipped mainly with infantry weapons but also operates a small number of aircraft and helicopters in its border surveillance.


3. Territorial Defense Forces

The Territorial Defense Forces (OT) total 28,500 men, organized into 19 regiments. One regiment is assigned in each provincial capital, with an additional regiment in both Lodz and Warsaw. These units are oriented toward civil construction projects during peacetime, and they would assume local and civil defense roles in wartime. They are more lightly armed than the Internal Defense Forces and the Frontier Guard, generally have only light infantry weapons, and receive less military training.


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APPROVED FOR RELEASE: 2009/06/16: CIA-RDP01-00707R000200070031-4