Specificity of Supply System of Rocket Industry in the USSR оn the eve of the Caribbean Crisis

Abstract

The purpose of the article is to analyze basic principles of the Soviet logistics system of supply of rocket production branch which enabled to organize production of modern ballistic missiles within a short time. This problem is underresearched in historiography as for more than half a century archival documents were kept secret. Methodologically, the article is based on the theory of modernization. The system of logistics and the system of planning in the Soviet economy were closely interconnected. These systems were based on rational planning, which required stability. However, missile production developed dynamically, and plans constantly changed. It entailed constant administrative control from the government and extraordinary measures to provide priority for the supply of missile production. The attempt to centralize Soviet supply system under the State Planning Committee did not bring about positive results due to the complex organization of the Soviet economy. After the reform of 1957 in the country, two logistics system of missile production were created. Production of the advanced prototypes of rocketry was provided by the supplying organizations of the State Planning Committee of the USSR, whereas serial production was provided by the republican supplying organizations. It was difficult for republican State Planning Committees to combine planning and constant control over the system of supply. To solve the problem, republican economic councils were created in 1960. The supplying organizations were subordinated to them. The Soviet supply system was imperfect, but the use of mobilization methods enabled to organize production of the modern rocketry.