Intelligence on the Middle East for Commonwealth Countries. Report by the Joint Intelligence Committee

ANNEX TOP SECRET SCALE AND NATURE OF A RUSSIAN ATTACK ON THE MIDDLE EAST. RUSSIAN OPERATIONAL APPRECIATION THE RUSSIAN AIM We consider that the Russian aim of a campaign in the Middle East will be to deny the Middle East oilfields and the Suez Canal area to the Western Powers, and to add depth to the air defences of Southern Russia. FACTORS AFFECTING THE AIM Armed Forces available to the Soviet Union for this campaign. 2. Navy. The following ships will be available in the Black sea :(a) 4 Cruisers (i) 2, 10,000 KIROV class completed 1939-40 (ii) 2, 10,000 KIROV class completed 1948-49 (b) 6 Destroyers 2 GORDI class completed 1937/38 (ii) (iii) 1 SILNI class completed 1939 1 "0" class completed 1941 (iv) (v) 1 "0" class completed 1948 1 improved Leningrad class completed 1948 (c) Submarines: 16 ocean-going slow, at lest 26 coastal (d) Landing Ships and Craft.