Author(s): Desmond Ball

Pre-Loved Books | Military, War | Politics

Canberra papers on strategy and defence ; no. 53.Canberra : Strategic and Defence Studies Centre, Research School of Pacific Studies, Australian National University, 1989 151 p. : ill., maps ; 21 cm.

The Soviet Union maintains the largest signals intelligence (SIGINT) establishment in the world. It is capable of monitoring virtually the whole radio frequency spectrum on an almost global scale, with particular  attention  being  accorded  high frequency (HF) radio transmissions, terrestrial microwave telecommunications, and satellite communications (SATCOMs). This  monograph is concerned with Soviet capabilities and operations with respect to the intercepting of satellite communications (SATCOMs) - both commercial SATCOMs and defence and intelligence SATCOMs.   The monograph describes the  Soviet SATCOM SIGINT ground station capability and, most particularly, the major SIGINT facility at Lourdes in Cuba; the Soviet use of diplomatic establishments for intercepting SATCOMs;  and Soviet ship-based SATCOM monitoring capabilities. The monograph concludes that the scope and sophistication of Soviet SATCOM SIGINT activities is inadequately appreciated by Western publics, and that greater public awareness of the vulnerability of SATCOMs  is  necessary  for the implementation of effective and (COMSEC) policies and comprehensive  communications  security practices.