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Central Organizations of Defense in the Soviet Union

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Published
  • R.H. Baker
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Publication date10/06/2019
Host publicationCentral Organizations of Defense
EditorsMartin Edmonds
Place of PublicationLondon
PublisherRoutledge
Pages160-177
Number of pages18
ISBN (electronic)9780429044717
ISBN (print)9780367014858 , 0865316848 , 9780367164720
<mark>Original language</mark>English

Abstract

The contemporary character of the central organization and structures of Soviet defense may best be understood by locating their origins in the year 1953. The point is crucial to a historical understanding of Soviet defense policy and the character and relationships of defense institutions. In the 1950s and early 1960s, reference were beginning to be made in both Soviet and Western literature to the emergence of a Supreme Military Council of Defense in the USSR. The Constitution makes clear that the Defense Council is a state body rather than a party body. The importance of the Defense Council, therefore, lies in its being the linchpin of the Soviet defense establishment. The constituent branches of the Soviet Armed Forces have the principles of defense policy translated into specific roles and missions for them by the General Staff, the chief of which, ex officio, is also a first deputy minister of defense.