ABSTRACT
Long considered to be a less important mission in a quick, decisive nuclear conflict, sea lines of communication interdiction has received renewed interest as the possibility of sustained conventional conflict has gained serious consideration. The major forces for interdiction operations on the high seas would include missile-armed submarines, aircraft, and mine warfare forces, and perhaps even the use of nuclear weapons. The Soviet Navy also has over sixty nuclear-powered attack submarines, and in wartime, many of these submarines would conduct sea lane interdiction operations. Soviet Naval Aviation would play an important role in interdiction. The interdiction role of Soviet surface combatants is not as great as that of either submarines or aircraft as lacking air cover, the surface combatants would be vulnerable when they sailed beyond the protection of shore-based aircraft. Another very important aspect of Soviet sea lane interdiction operations is the Soviet Navy's ability to conduct offensive mine warfare.
