The Soviet Combat Intelligence Process: an Integrative Interpretation

The focus of this paper is the Soviet tactical combat intelligence process. The author concludes that in recent years the Soviets have attempted to systematize and mechanize their intelligence processes so that commanders of Soviet units may act more expeditiously in combat situations, that there are ten demands placed on data collectors for acquisition of the required information, and that the Soviets have been discussing the role of Soviet ground units in conducting reconnaissance under the conditions of modern warfare. Each of these areas of concern point out that Soviet military leaders continue to worry about the capability of their combat units and staffs to process the mass of data collected on the battlefield in an efficient manner.