Soviet Military Doctrine

The purpose of this book is to document from basic Soviet sources the development of Soviet military doctrine and its impact upon the Soviet Armed Forces. Soviet military doctrine is defined as the military policy of the Communist Party. In one way or another, this policy affects the lives of all of us-as a possible threat to free institutions and political processes as well as to our economic life and well-being. Generally we approach Soviet military policy in terms of military balances and weapons: comparisons in the number of men under arms, the speed of aircraft of the Soviet bloc versus that of NATO aircraft, the number of ballistic missiles and their throw-weights. Studying such balances is of critical importance in defining, to some degree, existing forces. But it is only through a deep and thorough study of the military policy of the Communist Party, which translates directly into military doctrine, that we can obtain the background that might aid in negotiating with the Soviets on arms control matters or in making decisions that will enable those nations outside of the Soviet bloc to deter future Kremlin military moves.

Preface -- Continuity and Change in Soviet Military Doctrine -- The Background of Soviet Military Doctrine -- Soviet Military Doctrine, 1960-1970 -- Soviet Military Doctrine in the Arms Control Era -- Soviet Military Doctrine in the 1980s -- Laws of War and Laws of Armed Combat -- Formulation and Dissemination of Soviet Military Doctrine -- Role of the CPSU in Formulating Military Doctrine -- Role of the Soviet Government in Formulating Military Doctrine -- Dissemination of Soviet Military Doctrine -- Conclusions: Continuity or Change? -- Military Members of the Central Committee CPSU (March 1986) -- Official Military Holidays -- Official Books* -- Original Plan of the Officer's Library Series -- Winners of the Frunze Prize -- Warsaw Pact Military Doctrine