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The six East European and Communist-ruled countries having navies W|ll be examined in this survey. A senes of dramatic political and economic developments in East Europe ln 1981 have had or will have repercussions in regard to naval developments in this region.
. First, there is the continuing crisis ln Poland. In the spring and summer °f 1981, there was the real threat that Ihe Soviet Union and its Warsaw Pact nllies would invade Poland. Even after the declaration of martial law by the Polish Army in December, Soviet military intervention, although not imminent, is still possible. Upon the proclamation of martial law on 13 December 1981, the Polish Navy has feportedly increased its coastal sur- vcillance to prevent Poles from fleeing to Sweden and Denmark. Amphibious ^arfare ships were employed, in late December 1981, to transfer food from Fast Germany to Polish ports. In a Soviet invasion of Poland, the Soviet Baltic Fleet, together with the East German Navy, would attempt to seal °ff the Polish coast to cut off help for that country from abroad and to prevent the escape of refugees to Sweden and Denmark.
The naval picture in the Black and Adriatic seas has not changed much lr> the last year. Yet, steadily deteri- °rating economic and political situations in all the Balkan Communist- tuled countries, with the exception of Bulgaria, must have negative effects °n the conditions of these countries' armed forces. Romania is currently in «s Worst economic crisis since 1945. Jugoslavia is faced with both worsening economic difficulties and continuing internal unrest in the Alban- lan-populated province of Kosovo. As a result of the latter, Yugoslavia’s regions with Albania have rapidly deteriorated. While Yugoslavia’s internal and external difficulties require Father strengthening of the armed forces, the existing economic situation puts severe constraints upon any ■ncrease in defense expenditures.
Albania is a poor and undeveloped Uation which is politically isolated from most of the world. The country’s sources of arms in the past were first the Soviet Union, then China; Albania currently has very poor relations with both countries. Thus, Albania’s armed forces now possess largely obsolete weapons and equipment.
Since there have been no noticeable changes in the East European navies’ peacetime and wartime tasks or in their quality of personnel and training as described in this section in March 1981. this review will focus on material developments, exercises, and other events of naval interest which have taken place since then in the navies of Communist countries bordering the Baltic, Adriatic, and Black seas.
The Baltic Sea „. , ^
East Germany: In 1981, the East German Navy (Volksmarine) consisted of about 146 combatants and 90 auxiliary and miscellaneous ships and craft. The personnel strength of the navy and the Coastal Frontier Brigade (Grenzbrieade Kueste [GBK]) was then some 17,000 (including 1,800 officers). All the combatants, except for 38 ex-Soviet vessels, were built in East Germany, and about 75% of them entered service in the last ten years.
The modernization of the East German Navy continued in 1981. The first of the new 1,200-ton Parchim-class ASW corvettes entered service on 9 April. The second ship of this class was commissioned on 3 September. These ships, initially code-named “Bal-Com-4” by NATO, resemble the Soviet ‘‘Grisha’’-class small ASW ships. The main armament of the Parchim class comprises four 16-inch ASW torpedo tubes and two "RBU- 6000” 12-tubed ASW rocket launchers. For air defense this class carries one twin 57-mm. dual-purpose and one twin 30-mm. antiaircraft gun, as well as two four-railed launchers for SA-N-5 “Grail” heat-seeking missiles. The Parchim class is fitted for mine-
The East German Navy’s major surface combatant force is being strengthened significantly with the deliveries of Parchim-c/a.ss corvettes (second ship above) and “Koni”-class frigates (Rostock, right)
laying and also has two depth charge ports in the stern. The ships of this class are being built at Wolgast shipyard, Peenemiinde, and are intended to replace the 12 unsuccessful and obsolescent Hai-III-class combatants. The latter are being turned over to the GBK.
In 1981, additional "Koni”-class missile frigates were acquired from the Soviet Union, and no more are expected. The construction programs of the small Libelle-class torpedo boats and the Frosch-class LSMs have apparently been completed, with the final pair of the latter class being a modified design which appears to be intended to serve as supply ships.
In addition to the joint naval maneuvers with the Soviet Baltic Fleet and the Polish Navy, the East German Navy ships conducted several other activities overseas in 1981. The 1,800- ton training ship Wilhelm Pieck visited the Polish port of Gdynia on 2 March. The same ship, accompanied by the 1,560-ton salvage vessel Otto Von Guericke, departed from Rostock on 16 June to make a several-week trip around Europe, visiting the Yugoslav Navy and Soviet Black Sea Fleet.
On 21 August, it was announced that a new “Grand Voyage” badge was awarded to individual ships and units for achievements in performing special tasks during cruises in distant areas and “exemplary relations in comradeship-in-arms.” This announcement may well signify that the East German Navy ships will be deployed more frequently in areas beyond the Baltic.
As for the immediate future, the construction program of the Parchim- class corvette will continue. As many as 12 ships will be built, and the entire program is expected to be completed by the end of 1983. The most urgent task facing the East German Navy is the replacement of its aging 15-18 "Osa-Is” and 18"Shershens“ built in the mid- and late-1960s. There were reports that the “Osas” were to receive more advanced electronic equipment and, presumably, the newest version of the "Styx” surface-to- surface missile (SS-N-2C). The 26 Kondor //-class coastal minesweepers (MSCs) built since 1970 are being modernized by acquiring a minehunting capability. The remaining and slightly older Kondor /-class MSCs have been relegated to serve as patrol boats with the GBK. The naval air arm, which consists of eight Mi-14 land-based ASW helicopters, is expected to be expanded by the delivery of additional Mi-14 helicopters.
Poland: The Polish Navy has about
COMBAT FLEETS 1 982/S3
124 combatants and 50 miscellaneous vessels and auxiliaries: this force is supplemented by 30 patrol boats belonging to the border guard. The navy’s personnel strength is about 2,800 officers and 22,200 enlisted men- In 1981, the only new acquisition reported was a fiberglass-hulled coastal minesweeper, which was launched in April. The backbone of the navy s offensive strength still comprises 4 “Whiskey”-class patrol submarines. 1 “Kotlin”-cIass guided missile destroyer, 13 missile-armed “Osa-Is. and 10 Wisla-class torpedo-armed fast patrol boats. The naval air arm reportedly comprises some 40 aged MiG-17 fighter-bombers and even older 11-28 medium bombers; about 20 equally obsolescent "Hare” and “Hound” helicopters are in service.
The Polish Navy has several serious shortcomings. The “Whiskey”-class submarines are essentially obsolete, although maintained in excellent operating condition. The main ASW capability rests in the 23 large patrol
craft equipped with only depth charge rails and is obviously inadequate. The 12 “T-43”-class and 12 domestically omit Krogulec-class ocean minesweepers have no capability to detect and sweep the latest types of mines. The navy’s small offensive strength, Presented by the “Osa-Is” and Wis- 'Qs, is also aging. The amphibious Warfare component, with its 23 “Pol- nocny”-class LSMs, possesses a relatively large lift capability. The 1,200- t°n hydrographic tender Zodiak was launched in October 1981. Three ships °f this class are planned.
The Polish fleet is clearly a rapidly a8mg force, since most of the ships in service were built in the mid-1960s or earlier. However, Poland’s hopeless economic situation precludes, at least f°r the next few years, any large-scale construction program to replace sur- tace combatants and submarines. In addition, the highly unstable internal Political situation makes the acquisi- Oon of additional ships from the So- Vlet Union unlikely.
Warsaw Pact Naval Cooperation in , le_ Baltic: The continuing and deepening crisis in Poland was the main cause for the scheduling of large-scale Warsaw Pact maneuvers in the early sPring of 1981. Then a “joint command staff exercise of the allied arm- les and fleets,” code-named Soyuz-81, was held in the northwestern and J^stem parts of Poland between 17 March and 7 April. All three services
the Soviet, Polish, and East Ger- Ptan armed forces participated in the maneuvers. The amphibious ships of aH three navies, supported by large '''arships, participated in a tactical- ending exercise in the vicinity of the Polish city of Piasts. The Polish coastal defense units also participated ln the exercise. In a coordinated joint action on 28-29 March, the ships of li>e Soviet Baltic Fleet, the East German Navy, and the Polish Navy “destroyed” a simulated group of “enemy” surface combatants by concentrated missile and torpedo at- lacks. In an episode played out on 2 ^Pril, the East German “Koni”-class migates Rostock and Berlin conducted a submarine search in close cooperation with the Polish ships and Soviet AS\y aircraft. On the following day, ships of the three navies, supported oy Soviet Naval Aviation and the East German Air Force aircraft, executed a series of missile “attacks” against a group of “enemy” ships approaching the East German coast. The East German Navy’s ASW ships, helicopters, minesweepers, and frogmen, carried by Libelle-class torpedo boats, took part.
Another joint naval exercise of the Warsaw Pact navies in the Baltic was conducted 13-24 July. Participating on the Soviet side were two “Kashin”- class large ASW combatants, and a “Mod-Kildin”-class guided missile destroyer. The Polish guided missile destroyer Warszawa and the East German frigate Berlin also took part in this exercise. In addition, Polish and East German torpedo boats, Soviet and Polish naval aircraft, and East German helicopters conducted joint strikes against “enemy’ surface warships. However, in the large-scale Soviet maneuvers held in early September, which involved 100,000 men and 60 ships and was code-named Zapad- 81, no East German or Polish ships took part.
The three Baltic Warsaw Pact navies also participated in other noteworthy events in 1981. On the 25th anniversary of the East German National People’s Army, held on 27 February 1981, detachments of the Soviet Baltic Fleet and the Polish Navy visited Rostock. On 22 July, the East German Navy ships Rostock, Par- chim, and Nordperd— with the navy’s commander in chief (Admiral Willi Ehm)—arrived in Leningrad to participate in the celebration of the Soviet Navy Day. The Polish Navy’s Warszawa and a “Polnocny”-class LSM —with the navy’s commander in chief (Admiral Ludwik Yanczyszyn)— also attended.
The Adriatic Sea
Yugoslavia: In 1981, the Yugoslav Navy consisted of approximately 120 combatants and 40 auxiliary and miscellaneous vessels and craft. The personnel strength was some 1,500 officers and 12,500 enlisted men. The navy’s fourth postwar construction and modernization program (1976-80) had been completed, and the fifth (1981-85) started. One new 964-ton Sava-class patrol submarine is now in service, while a second is reportedly under construction at the Split shipyard. However, there might be delays in the completion of the second Sava- class unit because of financial difficulties. In addition, three small but modern Herog-class and two obsolescent Sutjeska-class submarines are in service. The latter two serve in a training capacity.
The then-41-year-old destroyer Split was decommissioned in 1980 and replaced with a Soviet-built 1,900-ton “Koni”-ciass missile frigate. The new ship, classified a destroyer, is named Split. (The new Split has a new number, R-31). She serves as the fleet’s flagship. Apparently, there are no plans to acquire additional “Konis.”
In the spring of 1981, it was learned that the Yugoslav Navy had placed an order for two 1,800-ton frigate-sized vessels to be built in a domestic ship-
The Polish Navy’s amphibious warfare ships (“Polnocny-B3,” above were pressed into patrol and food delivery duties when martial law was imposed on Poland.
yard. These ships reportedly will be powered with two sets of French-designed diesels and one Soviet-built gas turbine.
The two aging 330-ton Mornar-dass and one Le Fougueux-class corvettes are still in service. The former were modernized in 1970-73 by the addition of four Soviet-designed “RBU-1200” ASW rocket launchers and a new sonar set instead of the obsolete QCU- 2. After deletion of four 180-ton Kral- jevicci-class large patrol craft in 1980, some of the ten ships of that class remained in service. Of these, perhaps seven have been fitted with new antiaircraft guns and two “RBU-1200” ASW rocket launchers.
The construction program of the 250-ton Koncar-dass missile-armed fast attack craft has produced six boats thus far. There were reports, as yet unconfirmed, that there are plans to build ten missile-armed small combatants domestically to replace the “Osas,” but no further details are known. Ten French diesels of 3,000 horsepower were ordered in 1979 for a new patrol combatant project named “Kobra;” apparently as many as five of the craft, which are to have ASW and gun armament, are planned. The “Osas” and 14 “Shershens” remain in service, while the last six “Type- 158” gunboats were reportedly scrapped in 1979-80. Several new patrol craft designs have been offered for export, but none of these has entered Yugoslav Navy service.
Beginning in 1981, four Vitkov Klanac (Sirius)-class MSCs are being converted into minehunters/sweepers by receiving Plessey Type-I93M sonars. One 120-ton Ml 17-dass inshore minesweeper was deleted in 1980, leaving six ships now in service (of which one is used for hydrographic survey). There are unconfirmed reports that the Yugoslav Navy intends to order four 470-ton Lerici-class minehunters/sweepers in Italy. Construction of the Nestin-dass river minesweepers continues, with seven ships built for the Yugoslav Navy between 1975 and 1981. In the meantime, the venerable M30/-dass river minesweepers, built in the early 1950s, are being phased out. At present, probably no more than half a dozen of the M30ls are in service.
The greatest reduction in strength occurred in the amphibious warfare force because about a dozen DTM 211-class LCT/minelayers were decommissioned. Now, only some 12 to 13 DTM 211 s remain in service. However, they are very old and need to be replaced soon.
The naval air arm comprises some 15-20 ex-Soviet Ka-25 “Hormone B” and Mi-8 ASW helicopters. In addition, a small number of domestically built Partizan (SA-341 Gazelle) helicopters are used for transport and li- aison/utility duties. The few remaining old DHC-2 Beaver seaplanes and Sikorsky S-55 helicopters have probably been withdrawn from service. In 1980-81, four Canadian CL-215 amphibians were purchased.
The Yugoslav Navy has in service the first (SS-N-2A) and second versions (SS-N-2B) of the well-known “Styx” (P-15) antiship missiles. They are carried by the “Osa” and the Konccir respectively. The coastal artillery batteries have a number of the SSC-2b “Samlet” antiship missiles. In May 1981. the Yugoslavs reportedly expressed interest in acquiring the short-range Penguin antiship missiles. The Norwegian Government, according to well-informed sources, promised to consider the Yugoslav request favorably. The Yugoslav interest in the Penguin probably indicates an intention to incorporate that missile into the design of the projected class of fast patrol boat or introduce them into service with the coastal artillery units, or both.
Yugoslavia continues to make strenuous efforts to increase its export of naval vessels to friendly Third World countries. The 1,850-ton, 26- knot training frigate Ibn Khaldum was delivered to Iraq in 1980, while another slightly modified ship of the same class. Hajer Dewartara, built for the Indonesian Navy, was delivered in August. Frequent reports of the construction of a new class of 2,980- ton LSTs for the Yugoslav Navy have proved to be incorrect, since this class of LSTs was actually planned to be built for export if a buyer could be found. In addition to the Nestin-dass river minesweepers, of which three have reportedly been delivered to the Iraqi Navy, the “601"-class LCAsare also being offered for export.
A significant number of foreign delegations visited with the Yugoslav Navy in 1981. On 8 June, the U. S. Navy’s CNO, Admiral Thomas B. Hayward, visited Belgrade and met with the Yugoslav Navy’s Section Chief. On 29 June, the Soviet Navy’s Admiral Sergei Gorshkov spent six days with the Yugoslav Navy. This was the Soviet admiral’s first visit to Yugoslavia since August 1976. Besides Belgrade, Admiral Gorshkov and members of his delegation visited the naval headquarters in Split and some naval units and installations along the Yugoslav coast. Gorshkov also reportedly conducted separate talks with the Yugoslav Defense Minister, the Chief of the General Staff, and two top naval leaders in a “cordial and friendly atmosphere."
Although the details of these talks were not publicly disclosed, they apparently referred to the “further development of relations and promotion of cooperation” between the two navies. Admiral Gorshkov’s visit may well be connected with the renewed Soviet efforts after President Tito s death to obtain larger access to the Yugoslav ship repair facilities and use of naval bases and air facilities for Soviet naval vessels deployed in the Mediterranean. The Soviet Navy currently has “Foxtrot”-class submarines overhauled at the Sava Kova- cevic Navy Yard in Tivat on the Gulf of Cattaro. In addition, Soviet civilian-manned auxiliary vessels are repaired in the Yugoslav commercial ship repair facilities.
Albania: The Albanian Navy presently comprises some 56 combatants and 12 other vessels and craft. The navy’s personnel number about 3,000 men, including 300 in the coastal guard. Because of a shortage of spare parts and inadequate maintenance, most major combatants, notably three “Whiskey’’-class submarines and three Kronstadt-class patrol boats, are probably not operational. The situation is not much better with regard to the 32 Chinese-supplied, torpedoarmed Huchuan semi-hydrofoils and six gun-armed “Shanghai-II”-class patrol boats respectively. The combat readiness of the Albanian Navy minimal, and its effective strength W" continue to dwindle. This situation could be improved only if the country's leadership decides to start a rap' prochement with either Moscow °r Peking or, on the other hand, with the West. There is little likelihood that any such policy will be adopted under the present leadership. Yet. if A*' bania’s relations with Yugoslavia continue to deteriorate, Tirana might see* protection from Moscow.
The Black Sea
Romania: Unlike events in the Baltic, no naval exercises involving the
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three Warsaw Pact navies in the Black Sea were reported during 1981. The Romanian Navy comprises approximately 90 seagoing and 40 riverine combatants, none more than 800 tons displacement (and nearly all much smaller). The navy’s personnel strength is estimated at 10,000; one- hfth are in the border guard organization. No submarines are in service, ar|d the navy has no air arm.
Last year's assessment that in the next few years new ships will enter mto service with the Romanian Navy has proven to be correct, despite the country’s bleak economic situation. The new ships are, certainly, badly needed to replace the old Soviet units s|>ll in service. Romania has long dented to possess submarines again, and either transfers from the Soviet Union (dependent upon the Romanian Government’s “good behavior”) or even domestic construction are not beyond possibility during the 1980s. ^ithin the last year, a new class of . Osa”-sized torpedo boats, number- lng some eight to ten units and given [he class name “Epitrop” by NATO, has been reported, as well as a new class of minelayers/mine-countermea- sUres support ships (named “Cosar”), a heavily armed, helicopter-equipped small combatant tender of some 3,500 tens displacement (“Croitor”), and a Seagoing oceanographic ship, Grigore Autipa. Four ancient ex-German “M- 40’’-class ocean minesweepers have been re-engined with diesels and extensively modernized in other respects. All of these have been constructed at Romanian shipyards.
A number of foreign warships visited Romania in 1981. Between 2 and 6 June, the U. S. destroyer Caron (DD-970) and the frigate Miller (FF-1091), with Rear Admiral Henry C. Mustin on board, paid a visit to Constanta. A Soviet training ship and two Syrian “Petya”-class frigates visited the same port on 18 August and 12 September, respectively.
Bulgaria: The Bulgarian Navy currently has some 60 combatants and 25 miscellaneous vessels and craft, and 4,000 personnel in active service. Eight elderly, Soviet-supplied helicopters comprise the naval air arm. Only two “Romeo -class patrol submarines make up the navy's submarine force. The two “Riga -class frigates are obsolescent and will probably be replaced with the same number of “Konis,” but not in the immediate future, since both ships were overhauled in 1980. The number of “Osa-II” missile boats will probably be increased, with only one, transferred in 1978, now in service. The mine countermeasures force will continue to be modernized in the next few years with the replacement of the obsolescent “T-43” patrol minesweepers with “Yurka -or Natya -class units and the transfer of additional Yevgenya-dass MSIs. Bulgaria remains unique among the smaller Warsaw Pact navies in possessing an underway replenishment ship, the 3,500- ton Arlene, completed in 1980; this ship and the two “Rigas” made Mediterranean cruises in 1980 and 1981.
Among the notable events of 1981 were the festivities of the Bulgarian
COMBAT FLEETS 1982/83
Things are not rosy in the Black Sea navies. Sluggish economies are keeping naval programs small. Nevertheless, the Romanian Navy maintains the 1,600-ton sail training ship Mircea.
Navy Day on 8 August, when the commander in chief of the Soviet Black Sea Fleet, Admiral Nikolai Khovrin, paid a five-day visit to Varna on board the Soviet cruiser Admiral Ushakov.
With the exception of the East German, Romanian, and Yugoslav navies, it appears that other East European navies have entered into a period of retrenchment regarding the construction or acquisition of new ships, weapons, and equipment. The most unfavorable situation in these respects, although for different reasons, exists in the Polish and Albanian navies. The Bulgarian Navy might well embark on a program of modernization and possible minor expansion, since the country’s economic situation is not nearly as bad as that of Poland and Romania. The Albanian Navy could be modernized in the next few years, but only if the country’s leadership decides to abandon its policy of self-imposed isolation.