The Far Eastern Navies

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unable to increase the size of their na- ^Va.l ^torces to an appreciable extent. In ^sPite ot the continued strong feelings ugainst South Africa and the motions Passed at meetings of the Organiza- '°n of African Unity, no country, or combination of countries in Africa, can take effective naval action against °uth Africa. South Africa may com­mence the building of corvettes, but much of its available defense spending ^W|H be on its army and air force, both ^{0 w}hich are engaged against the guer- nllas in Namibia and Angola and Against the infiltration of terrorists from

Mozambique.

Internal upheaval caused by a failed coup d’etat by the Kenyan Air Force WiH require expenditures to rebuild that °^rce, and few funds will be available °^r the previously expected improve­ments to the navy. Elsewhere, it is unlikely that there will be any serious derations to the strengths of the al- ^rea<Iy small maritime forces of most other African navies. On the contrary, ¹¹ '^s probable that some of the older ^Vessels left over from colonial days or Provided in the early years of inde­pendence will shortly come to the end of their useful lives. In some cases, the Soviet Union will provide replace­ments on the cheap, but even that country is becoming less generous in this respect. However, the Soviet Union will continue to do everything possible to retain its hold upon An­gola, Mozambique, Guinea-Bissau, and Ethiopia and to extend its influence elsewhere by naval and political visits.

The chances of a peaceful settle­ment of the dispute over the indepen­dence of Namibia seem to be reced­ing, and this running sore will continue into 1984. Even if it is settled, the po­sition of the South African enclave of Walvis Bay, used as a minor naval base, will remain a bone of conten­tion. It would be a useful harbor for Western ships in the time of war.

The U. S. Government seems to be showing increased interest in the Af­rican continent, especially in Kenya and Somalia, both of which can pro­vide useful facilities for the Rapid De­ployment Force. The South African Government would like the United States and other Western powers to use Simonstown again. Certainly, this is a vital base for the defense of the

Cape Sea route and the sea-lane to the U. S. base at Diego Garcia, but the political barriers blocking such a move are formidable.

It is interesting, and perhaps in­structive, that the British were able to operate in the South Atlantic to re­cover the Falkland Islands without making use of any South African fa­cilities. The success of the enterprise was partly the result of being able to use the large airfield, base areas, and anchorage at Ascension Island—for­tunately, for Britain, the island is still a British territory.

Colonel Dodd was commissioned into the British Royal Artillery in 1937. He served in India and then, in World War II. in Egypt. Nigeria, and in Burma. After the war, he held staff and command appointments in the United Kingdom, Germany, Nigeria. France, and Scotland. He served as Head of the British Defence Intelligence Liaison Staff in Washington. His last appointment was Chief of Public Relations, Allied Forces Central Eu­rope in Holland. He left the British Army in 1970 to become a defense correspondent. He is the British or European correspondent for maga­zines in Australia. Malaysia. Germany, and Spain, and he writes for military magazines in 12 countries.

The Far Eastern Navies

^uy Lieutenant P. D. Jones, Royal Australian Navy, and Lieutenant J. V. P. Goldrick. Royal Australian Navy

The controversial buildup of the pPanese Maritime Self-Defense Force ’•IMSDF) continues. It appears that the ^sPeed and size of this expansion do not yet satisfy the United States, but he Japanese Government faces con­

The navies of the Far East, Austral- ^as'a, and Oceania have sought to ^dintain the pace of modernization and ^exPansion which has been the trend p the region since the mid-1970s. !y^conomic difficulties, however, have °fced exceptions to this general rule, ^tlnd it is also apparent that not all na- ^y'^es, even when sufficient funds have ^&een available, have found the pro­^Cess of expansion easy to manage.

Several other themes are notable in his year’s survey. The region’s larg­^est navy, that of the People’s Republic

China (PRC), has finally embarked ^aP°n the modernization of its fleet, ’he full significance of this decision ^0r the operations of the PRC Navy ^and upon Asian stability has yet to be

gauged.

siderable opposition to the program at home and abroad. Domestic discon­tent stems both from strongly pacifist elements in Japan and from those who consider that defense spending should not be increased at a time of economic difficulty. Overseas, misgivings are felt by a number of Asian countries, even as far away as Indonesia, which dis­like the prospect of another militarily strong Japan. The recent controversy over the content of Japanese school books’ World War II coverage indi­cates that the suspicions engendered by that war are not yet dead.

The introduction of light frigates and second generation missile boats has continued in many navies of the re­gion. These combatants possess greater endurance, firepower, and command and control facilities than the ships they replace. Such capabilities will further contribute to raising the operational efficiency of these navies, but there is an accompanying realization that such units require far more sophisticated training systems than have been hith­erto devised.

Mine warfare is receiving due at­tention, with Japan continuing mine­sweeper production, and orders have been placed for minehunters by both Malaysia and Australia. Other coun­tries should not be long in following suit.

North and East Asia

Japan: The accession to power of Japan’s new prime minister may well mark the beginning of a period of ex­pansion for Japan's maritime forces. However, while the government should be aware of the needs of defense, the economic situation and pacifist ele­ments may well combine to prevent increased defense expenditures.

Be that as it may, the JMSDF is undergoing a considerable and wide- ranging expansion. The submarine force has received three of the new Ynsliio class, with four others under construction or on order, and more likely to follow. Beginning with the

view

fourth unit, the Okishio, these sub­marines are scheduled to receive Sub Harpoon missiles. These sophisti­cated vessels must rank among the most effective submarines in the world. The size of the force will probably sta­bilize at between 14 and 16 units, with later construction being required to replace the Asashio-class submarines.

Many projects are under way to modernize the destroyer force. One

Japan has many shipbuilding programs under way or planned. The Sctoshio, right, is one of six Yushio- class submarines in service or under construction. The Hatsuyuki, facing page, is the lead ship of a nine-vessel guided missile destroyer class.

guided missile destroyer (DDG) of a new class was laid down in 1982. while the third ship of the Tachikaze class, the improved Sawakaze, was com­missioned in 1982. A new 6,000-ton DDG, which is to be equipped wit the AN/SPY-ID Aegis radar, is to he laid down in 1987. A large class of fast- well-armed antisubmarine warfare (ASW) destroyers is on hand, with th^L Hatsayuki, the lead ship, already complete; II others are building °^r planned. Other destroyers are being modernized and will receive both Har­poon and Sea Sparrow missile sys terns, as well as new sonars. Many new construction units. DDGs an DDs. will carry two close-in weapon systems (CIWS), in addition to other weaponry, indicating that the JMSD is taking seriously the problem of an­tiship missiles.

Nevertheless, the rate of construe tion of units with area defense miss' >- of the threats which the JMSDI njaV have to face. The air arm of the JMSD consists only of ASW aircraft. Given historical experience, the Japanese force may be incapable of providing sufficient cover for naval surface foree^s to make up for the lack of other area defenses.

Two Yubari-class light frigates are being built, following the complet'⁰'¹ of the prototype, the I shikari. Ho many more of these ships will be m dered remains to be seen, but the'^L

j!^re no fewer than 12 destroyers, four /'gates, and five ASW corvettes near- ^lng the end of their useful service lives.

he light frigate has great potential for ^Use in Japanese waters, since she has ^rnost of the capabilities, though less ^e"durance, than her larger sisters.

As another initiative to strengthen p^<lPan s antisubmarine defenses, 42 '-'C Orions have been ordered forde- "^Very by 1985—a total force of 50 is Planned. These aircraft will probably ^e fitted to fire the Harpoon.

Units of the Hatsushima class of JP'ne countermeasure vessels con- 'nue to be built at the rate of two per ^°ar; nine of these ships are in ser- ^V|(j^e- Japan continues to devote con­querable attention to mine warfare, ^dnd there are plans to add mine-drop- P^,ng C-130 aircraft to the JMSDF’s air ^c°niplement.

North Korea: The North Korean ^<lvy is offensive in composition and °Peration. Over the years, numerous ^c°vert and overt incursions have been "tade into South Korean territorial ^w"ters for the purposes of espionage ^dnd harassment. This policy demon- 4rates the intended use of the coun- ^ry s submarines and attack craft in •'me of war.

Coastal raids and mining operations yotild stretch the resources of the ‘ °uth. The technological edge in elec- lj°"^lcs and weaponry and the poten- al to increase such a lead enjoyed by ^ne South Korean Navy must, how­ever, be of concern to the North Ko­rean command, for these would seri­ously limit the North’s offensive capabilities.

South Korea: In response to the continuing threat posed by North Ko­rea, a 1,600-ton frigate, the Ulsan, hits been commissioned as the first of a class of at least four vessels. The con­struction of the Ulsan is an important step forward for South Korea, and it will be interesting to see whether the export success of the "PSMM-5"-class guided missile patrol boats can be re­peated by this frigate. Eight of the missile patrol boats have been con­structed and. in conjunction with the Harpoon-equipped Gearing- and Al­len M. Sumner-class destroyers, con­stitute a potent antiship force.

China: The long-awaited moderni­zation of China’s surface navy has be­gun. After years of indecision and un­successful efforts by sales delegations from all parts of Europe, the Chinese Government has decided to refit eight “Luta”-class destroyers and possibly some “Jiangnan”-class frigates with modern weapons and sensors.

British Aerospace and Vosper Thornycroft will tit the "Lutas” with a combat information center, new ra­dars and sonars, and the Sea Dart area defense missile system. This much- needed introduction of modern weap­onry should have a profound effect upon the operational capabilities of the PRC Navy.

Inevitably, the process of adapting to such modernization will be a stren­uous one for the PRC Navy and will involve, among other things, expo­sure to foreign doctrine unprece­dented since the split with the Soviet Union more than 20 years ago. While the Chinese are unlikely to send entire crews for training in Britain, there will certainly be some movement of per­sonnel between the two nations.

The improvements to the "Lutas” will add both command, control, and communications, and antiair warfare capabilities to the surface forces. Since the navy has already demonstrated the capability to deploy a blue water task force, it remains to be seen whether Chinese ships will undertake regular open ocean deployments in the near future.

Despite the allocation of consider­able resources to submarine pro­grams, China has been rewarded with little progress. The two “Han"-class SSNs, which were completed in 1974 and 1977, have not as yet been joined by further units of the class. The sit­uation is the same for the "Ming"- class patrol submarines. Meanwhile, production of the dated Soviet-de­signed “Romeo” class continues, and during 1982, two were exported to Egypt and one to Bangladesh.

China's deterrent force of SSBNs is still in the formative stage, but the first submerged launch of a ballistic missile on 12 October 1982. to a range of 1.600

kilometers, is a significant step and heralds the PRC Navy's arrival into the ranks of the strategically impor­tant navies.

Since both the Chinese Defense Minister and the long-serving Naval Commander-in-Chief have been re­placed within the past 12 months, the next few years promise to be of con­siderable interest to observers of the PRC Navy.

Taiwan: Like other nations in the region, Taiwan has found it necessary to reduce appropriations for its navy as a result of the depressed economic situation. The Taiwanese Navy is faced with the block obsolescence of its de­stroyer force and amphibious units within the next few years. This pros­pect, combined with a Chinese fleet undergoing modernization, poses ma­jor problems for Taiwan.

Since the rapprochement between the United States and China, Taiwan has looked to South Korea, Israel, and the Netherlands for a growing pro­portion of its defense equipment. However, it is from U. S. commercial sources that a frigate design is being prepared to replace the aging de­stroyer squadrons.

The arrival of the two improved Zwaardvis-class submarines in the late 1980s will be a considerable boost to the Taiwanese Navy, and will provide the country with a capable seaborne deterrent weapon. Second in priority to the submarine arm is the force of attack craft and patrol vessels. The reduction in the Lung Chiang (“PSMM-5” derivative) program to only two units was a serious blow to the navy, with the smaller Hc.i On class being a much less capable weapons platform. But defects in the Lung Chiang design have been corrected, and a new variant, designated the Sui- kiang class, is under construction.

Vietnam: Vietnam continues to rely upon the Soviet Union for the supply of new ships and naval equipment. Recent months, however, have seen a pause in the arrival of units for the Vietnamese Navy. While this may to some extent be a result of political cir­cumstances, the Vietnamese Navy is likely to need such a breathing space in order to be able to adapt to the recently acquired frigates and other units, which include missile craft of the “Osa-II" class and amphibious vessels.

Other nations in the region will be gion. It is certainly possible that Chi­na's recent modernization program may have had this threat primarily m mind.

Brunei: With the arrival of three small patrol craft in 1980 and 1981, the Royal Brunei Malay Regiment Flotilla appears to have reached full strength- A small but capable force, the flotilla is primarily engaged in patrol and sur­veillance duties, but nevertheless pos­sesses, in its three Exocet missile" equipped boats, a significant defen­sive antiship capability.

ASEAN

The navies of the Association o South East Asian Nations (Thailand. Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, am the Philippines) have, with the excep­tion of the Philippines, vastly im­proved their naval surface forces with the introduction of larger missile era t and light frigates. Such vessels are po­tent weapons in the congested watei- ways of the region.

Added to this trend has been the steady increase in the numbers o A-4 and F-5 aircraft in the air forces of Malaysia, Indonesia, and Singa­pore. The achievements of the Argen tine Air Force in the Falklands Con

GILBERT GYSSELS

Harpoon missiles are visible between the stacks of the South Korean destroyer Chung Buk. Such weapons are carried by the country's nine ex- Li. S. Gearing- and Allen M. Sumner- class destroyers.

watching future developments in the Vietnamese Navy with particular con­cern. While the present order of battle could be considered as largely a de­fensive force, significant increases in the numbers of frigates and missile craft, or the acquisition of larger ships, such as destroyers, could give Viet­nam the capability to dominate the re-

flict will not be lost on the ASEA nations, and the acquisition of ^a'^r launched antiship weapons would ^c a considerable addition to thei capabilities.         •

Thailand: The Royal Thai Navy steadily modernizing its fleet and m¹ proving its operational capabilities- Probably the most important recen

100-

tetrofitted to the Rahmat and the Hang "“b. Both of these frigates have been extensively refitted in recent years, and ^ang Tttah serves mainly in a training ^role.

The Spica M-class missile boats.

p^,eP was the awarding of a contract to ^erranti for a tactical trainer to be built ^l|t the fleet base at Sattahip. Other sig- 'T'ficant developments include the or- ^er'ⁿg of a frigate of the Descubierta class from Spain and the purchase of Harpoon missiles.

1 he sizeable, and for the most part, atodern force of light craft will be fur- her strengthened by four “PSMM-5” ja'ssile boats which are being built in angkok under license from South worea. The first boat is scheduled for delivery this year. A third “MV- WTH” patrol combatant has joined he pair under construction in Italy; he first two are to be completed by aiidyear.

This new construction will place considerable pressure upon the Royal hai Navy’s stores and support or­ganizations; efforts to standardize ^weapons and electronic fits during the J'efits of older ships will have most beneficial effects.

Malaysia: The ambitious expansion °‘ ^lhe Royal Malaysian Navy is being conducted in a most balanced fashion. ¹ he main project is the acquisition of t^⁰ “Type-FS 1500” frigates from HDW of West Germany. Fitted to the class will be the new Creusot-Loire mm. Compact gun, which is being which joined the fleet in 1979, have proven to be excellent weapons plat­forms, performing well in multina­tional exercises. Future attack craft will probably be based on this design.

The Royal Malaysian Navy has or­dered four Lerici-class minehunters from Intermarine in Italy. Malaysia will thus be the first Southeast Asian na­tion to operate the new generation of glass-reinforced plastic-hulled mine countermeasure vessels. The Italian design has been modified to provide for a faster and more capable ship, which will be well able to undertake patrol missions.

The major problem apparent for the navy lies with the large patrol craft, some 22 of which are approaching the end of their service lives. The first units of a large-scale program for their re­placement were ordered in 1980 from Penang Shipyard, and deliveries should commence shortly.

Singapore: The Republic of Singa­pore Navy has a force of 12 missile craft and gunboats to defend the world’s third largest seaport. The navy is still a youthful service, which is best characterized by its efficient, but sometimes inexperienced command­ing officers at sea.

The increased presence of Soviet and U. S. naval vessels in the Indian Ocean and the expansion of the navies of Sin­gapore’s closest neighbors have in­creased considerably the level of na­val strength in the region, and this has made expansion of the Republic of

Nestled against the Singapore Navy’s refitted LST Persistence are the Gabriel-armed missile boat Sea Dragon and the gunboats Sovereignty and Dauntless. Because naval forces in the region are increasing, Singapore has resolved to expand its own fleet.

Singapore Navy a priority. Tentative steps have been taken in this direc­tion, with three follow-ons to the Sea Wolf-class missile boats on order from Singapore shipbuilders. It is antici­pated that this class will also be armed with Gabriel-III surface-to-surface missiles.

In the near future, the navy will have to replace its small mine countermea­sure force. The two ex-U. S. mine­sweepers currently in service have proven to be valuable training plat­forms, but more capable vessels are now required. The problem of obso­lescence in the amphibious force is being dealt with by a series of exten­sive refits of the LSTs, the first of which, the Persistence’s, was re­cently completed.

Indonesia: The Indonesian Navy is the largest in Southeast Asia, and its current modernization program is pro­ceeding steadily. The latest major ad­dition has been the training frigate Haser Dewantara, built in Yugo­slavia. This versatile ship reflects In-

Royal Australian Navy (RAN). As a result of the Argentine invasion, the sale of the carrier Invincible to A us tralia was cancelled and, once again- the RAN found itself looking for a re

donesia's recent policy of standard­izing weapons and sensor systems in the fleet. A second ship of this class has been ordered, reportedly for de­livery late this year.

The navy’s submarine arm has re­cently received two “Type-209"-class submarines from West Germany. Two more boats of the class now on order will probably relieve the last Soviet- built “Whiskey" in service.

For many years, Indonesia’s patrol boat force was made up of a hetero­geneous collection of Soviet-, West German-, Yugoslavian-, and U. S.- built vessels of varying ages and ca­pabilities. Since 1980. when the first of the Exocet-armed “PSMM-5” at­tack craft arrived, the force has pro­gressively received new combatants to undertake the extensive duties re­quired of the navy. The current strength of the force is four “PSMM-5s" in commission, with another four on order.

A particularly noteworthy addition has been the Boeing jetfoil. Bima Sa- mttderai, which is currently being evaluated for surveillance and logistic duties, not only with the navy, but other government departments.

The major increase in Indonesian sea power in patrol capability has been in the country’s Customs Service, Sea Communications Agency, and Mari-

The Indonesian training frigate Haser Dewantara was built in Yugoslavia and will be joined by a sister ship later this year.

time Police, which have all received large numbers of new craft in recent years. The largest of these are eight Lurssen-designed 57-meter patrol boats for the Customs Service.

Philippines: Without a long-sought and considerable injection of funds, the Philippine Navy will remain a force capable of coast guard duties only. The arrival of three “PSMM-5”-class craft will at least give the fleet some offen­sive punch, but the Philippine Gov­ernment clearly relies upon the U. S. Navy for maritime defense.

While the construction of small pa­trol craft has received most of the na­vy’s limited resources, there is a need to replace the aging escort force, if only for the annual ASEAN exercises and “show the flag" duties. A design similar to the U. S. Coast Guard’s Sew class would be ideal for both these roles and general patrol work around the islands.

Similarly, the amphibious force and the auxiliaries in the inventory are reaching the ends of their useful lives. These ships play a particularly im­portant part in the government of the Philippines, acting not only in security but in logistic roles around the islands. Their replacement is essential not only from the naval point of view, but for the maintenance of current domestic policies.

Oceania/Australasia

Papua-New Guinea: Although the small patrol boat and landing craft force continues to age, there has as yet been little effort to replace the six craft in­volved. The four Attack-class patrol boats will certainly need to be re­placed before the end of the decade. (A fifth unit of this class, the Aitape, was cannibalized in 1981 to keep her sisters in service.) The distances and problems involved in patrolling Pap^ua_ New Guinea waters in an effective manner indicate that their replace­ment will need to be at least as large- though not necessarily more sophis­ticated. The uncertain state of the economy, however, means that the Papua-New Guinea Government is unlikely to look with favor upon ex­pensive defense force projects.

Australia: With the exception of the Argentine and Royal navies, no navy has been more greatly affected by the Falkland Islands Conflict than the placement for the Melbourne.

The situation was worse than a re turn to “square one," because the Melbourne had been paid oft, ^costS, ?_£ new designs had risen, and valtjah time had been lost. By the date tha

this article is published, the Australian Government should have decided 0° a new set of options offered by the RAN for a carrier. A possible selec­tion is a modified Invincible design- and HMS Hermes has been offered by the British Government to cover t e period before the new construction can be completed. But the Hermes is as old as the Melbourne, requires a very large crew, and is configured to op erate V/STOL fighters, which Aus­tralia does not have. The Litton P^r0^ posal for a modified hvo Jiina-c\ass LPH is alive, but costs have risen dra matically. A late 1982 Australian ie quest for the costs of procuring 16 A 8B and four TAV-8B Harriers front the United States (for delivery begin

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. A lx-

. VAN GINDEREN

ⁿⁱⁿ8 in 1987) was tendered. This may indicate the thrust of current Austra- ^lan Government thinking.

I he possibility, however, of a fleet ^w,'hout a carrier is real indeed. What- ^CVer the decision, it is required in short °^rder, for this matter affects the de- ''^l8n of the follow-on destroyers, in- ended to replace the “River“-class ■"'gates, and the choice of the new 7SW helicopter, as well as the size of le Fremantle-class patrol boat order. Despite this uncertainty, the RAN ^as been strengthened by the com- ^m'^ssioning of the third FFG, the Syd- ''fy. This ship introduces the Phalanx WS to the fleet. The RAN’s three

•            S.-built Charles F. Adams-class DGs will receive $205 million mod-

^Crr>izations, beginning in 1985; this will enable them to remain in effective ser- ^v>ce well into the 1990s.

Carrington Slipways has been con­tacted to build the two prototypes of ne new 31-meter minehunting cata­marans. The lead unit is to be com­missioned in 1985. As a result of large e°st increases, the RAN has decided ⁿ°t to proceed with the purchase of British Brecon-class minehunt- ^ers, and further studies of oceangoing finehunters are proceeding.

*         he long-range maritime patrol force will be strengthened by a program whereby the Royal Australian Air Force is trading in its squadron of P-3Bs to Lockheed for new P-3C (Up­date II) aircraft, which will be armed with Harpoon missiles. When the last of the new aircraft is delivered, Aus­tralia will have 20 P-3Cs. The F-l 11C fighter bombers will also receive the new antiship missile, thereby attain­ing a significant maritime strike capability.

New Zealand: Unlike Australia. New Zealand has had its agreement with Britain to acquire two Leander-class frigates honored. In preparation for the commissioning of HMNZS Welling­ton (ex-Baccliante) on 4 October 1982. the Taranaki was paid off in June 1982. The other frigate, the Ikara-armed Southland (ex-Dido), is scheduled to be transferred to the Royal New Zea­land Navy (RNZN) this month. How­ever. the ship will undergo a long refit before entering service in 1984.

With an all-Leander frigate squad­ron. the RNZN has gained a breathing space before new construction must be ordered. However, the price to be paid is that the problem of block ob­solescence is now even more severe. With construction costs continuing to burgeon, it is unlikely that the navy

The Falklands War caused the British Government to withdraw offers or cancel agreements to sell many Royal Navy vessels. Fortunately for New Zealand, the frigate HMS Bacchante still became the HMNZS Wellington.

will ever be able to persuade the New Zealand Government to purchase so­phisticated replacements.

Four patrol craft were delivered in 1981 from Whangarei Engineering Company to replace the aged ex-Brit­ish HDML-class craft employed for naval reserve training. These new craft are similar to the survey boats deliv­ered in 1980 from the same builders. The Royal New Zealand Navy, how­ever, remains devoid of mine coun­termeasure capability, and even with four frigates, is only marginally ca­pable of policing New Zealand’s ter­ritorial waters.

Lieutenants Jones and Goldrick are officers in the Royal Australian Navy who wrote on Far Eastern navies in last year's International Navies Issue. Currently. Lieutenant Jones is the navi­gation officer on board HMAS Ipswich. and Lieutenant Goldrick is an aide to the Governor- General of Australia.