Soviet SAM-5 Installations Reported at 3 Key Bases

Soviet SAM-5 ground-to-air missiles appear to have been installed by Libya at three bases adjacent to the Gulf of Sidra, where U.S. and Libyan forces have clashed for two days, military analysts said Tuesday.

The International Institute for Strategic Studies said its information suggests that the sites, each believed to be equipped with six missiles and radar gear, are in or near Tripoli, Surt and Benghazi. There is some doubt as to whether the Libyan bases are fully operational.

“The missiles were installed late last year and seemed to be designed to provide interlocking cover across the gulf,” a spokesman for the London-based institute told a reporter.

The institute, an independent research body, says Libya’s total armed forces number 73,000 men, with a People’s Militia reserve of 40,000.

Its 58,000-strong army is organized into 20 battalions of 2,500 tanks, 30 mechanized infantry battalions and 10 artillery battalions, the institute reports in its 1985-86 survey of military power throughout the world.

In addition, there are two anti-aircraft battalions and two surface-to-surface missile battalions.

Before the new encounters with U.S. firepower, the Libyan navy had 6,500 crewmen and included six Soviet-built, diesel-powered submarines, one missile-armed frigate, 25 fast missile craft, nine corvettes and five patrol boats.

Libya’s air force has 8,500 personnel, flying 535 combat planes and 42 armed helicopters.