This html article is produced from an uncorrected text file through optical character recognition. Prior to 1940 articles all text has been corrected, but from 1940 to the present most still remain uncorrected. Artifacts of the scans are misspellings, out-of-context footnotes and sidebars, and other inconsistencies. Adjacent to each text file is a PDF of the article, which accurately and fully conveys the content as it appeared in the issue. The uncorrected text files have been included to enhance the searchability of our content, on our site and in search engines, for our membership, the research community and media organizations. We are working now to provide clean text files for the entire collection.
length increase would more than double submerged low-power endurance. The Swedes argue that it is the sound of snorkling rather than the radar signature of the raised snorkel that endangers the sub- warine. Thus, a submarine operating on her Stirling would still be able to put up a snorkel to refresh the atmosphere inside without becoming more vulnerable. The Swedish submarine proposal to the Australian Navy includes :. Stirling auxiliary Powerplant.
The first of four Goteborg-class ASW corvettes was laid down on 10 February 1986 for delivery in 1990.
Finland: The defense budget was to rise 8%—to about $1.1 billion—in 1987, although this still falls far short of requests by the defense forces ($1.4 billion). More than a quarter of the procurement funds will go to continued production of Helsinki-class fast attack boats, four of which are now in service. Finland’s surviving Soviet Riga-class frigate, used in recent years as a minelayer, has been stricken, and the two Turunmaa-class corvettes have completed two-year modernizations.
Dr. Friedman is a defense analyst working under contract for the U. S. Navy and several private companies. The author of many books on nava] weapon and ship designs, he writes the regular Proceedings World Naval Developments” feature as well as other frequent contributions to Proceedings and other professional naval magazines.
but
All East European and communist- ru^d countries continue to suffer from acute economic difficulties, yet this does n°t appear to affect funding for their armed forces, including the navies. This Is owing in large part to Soviet assistance ln force rejuvenation for the Warsaw Pact Members. Significant East European naval developments in 1986 include the
following:
* The East German Navy continued its Modernization program. The third Soviet woni-dass frigate and two Soviet •arantul-class missile corvettes were acquired. The older Soviet Osa-I-class mis- boats and Shershen-class torpedo oats are being withdrawn from service.
The Polish Navy apparently intensified lls modernization program, and the first 01 four Soviet Kilo-class submarines was acquired. The sole SAM Kotlin-class M'ssile destroyer was decommissioned,
> 100-ton frigates is being built. In addi- *°n> another Notek-class coastal mine- keeper is under construction. The naval ®lr atm received the first of probably a °zen new Mi-14 Haze-A antisubmarine j^arfare (ASW) helicopters.
Apparently, the Romanian naval uildup continued, but at much slower ^ Uipo than in previous years.
The Bulgarian Navy acquired a third 'ga-class frigate. There were no reports other ships or craft being acquired or U|lt in 1986. A third Romeo-class sub- M^ine likely was acquired in 1985.
* here were no apparent changes in the atus of the Albanian Navy. Its real ^rength and combat readiness are much w.er than the number of ships and craft ^ tr>buted to it might otherwise indicate, ecause of maintenance problems and a ■oadily worsening availability of spare Parts.
The Yugoslav Navy continued its rela- e 7 extensive modernization program, to C ^'rSt domestically built, 1,850- n Amor-class frigates was completed,
as was the first of the indigenously designed, 525-ton Kobra-class missile corvettes. Reportedly, two of the new Biokovo-class ASW corvettes are under construction, and several 100-ton (/noclass midget subs are being built for the navy and export. Several new classes of coastal/riverine patrol craft and naval auxiliaries are under construction.
The Baltic Sea
East Germany: The 15,500-man (1,800 officers) Volksmarine has about
136 warships and perhaps 75 auxiliary and service craft in active service.
The largest combatants are three Koni- class frigates, classified as “coastal defense ships.” The third ship of this class, the Halle, was commissioned on 28 January 1986. In contrast to other East German Konis, the Halle carries a 16-tube decoy launcher on each side of the Pop Group radar foundation. An additional Koni may be transferred from the Soviet Union to restore the force to its 1960s and 1970s level, when four Rigas served.
The Volksmarine’s ASW component consists of 16 domestically built, 1,200- ton Parchim-dass corvettes, apparently classified as “coastal defense ships.” Additional Parchims may be built.
The backbone of the Volksmarine's antiship missile strength is a force of four Soviet-built, 540-ton Tarantul-I-class missile corvettes classified as “small missile ships.” More Tarantul-Is are expected to enter service as the 11 Osa-Is are rapidly withdrawn. Also in service are about a dozen Soviet-built Shershen- class “torpedo boats” and 20 of the original 31 Libelle-class “light torpedo boats.”
The Volksmarine’s amphibious warfare component consists of a dozen 1,900-ton Frosch-class “medium landing ships.” However, the amphibious lift capability could be augmented by seven domestically built roll-on/roll-off (Ro/Ro) ships. The 2,000-man “Ernst Moritz-Arndt” 29th Motorized Rifle Regiment of the land forces, deployed at Prora on Riigen Island, is specially trained and equipped for amphibious assault landings.
The mine warfare force includes 27 310-ton Kondor-ll-class patrol minesweepers, which can also carry mines. Three serve as training ships for a petty officer school.
The Volksmarine’s supply ship force has been strengthened considerably in recent years. Two modem Frosch-II and six Darss-class support ships are in service. The 1,900-ton Frosch-IIs are used as cargo ammunition transports; they can beach as well as lay mines. The 1,200- ton Darss class has considerably improved capabilities for conducting operations in the Baltic Sea.
The Volksmarine also has four very small support tankers (three Type-600s and one Baskunchak) and five harbor tankers. Since 1984, six new 2,400-ton “floating base” ships of the Ohre class have been delivered from Peenewerft in Wolgast. Reportedly, these ships replaced all 11 of the older non-self-propelled Jiigend barracks barges. The three intelligence collecting ships (AGIs) include one Darss (the Jasmund) built in 1985 and two modified Kondor-I-class minesweepers. There are also a number of smaller service units.
The naval air arm has been expanded in recent years, and currently consists of a 1,000-man ASW helicopter squadron at Parow (near Stralsund) and Peenemiinde. Now in service are eight Soviet Mi-8T Hip-C and 13 Mi-8 Hip-F multipurpose helicopters, and eight Mi-14PL Haze-A ASW helicopters. The Mi-14s were added in the early 1980s and also will be used for minesweeping.
The 4,100-man Coastal Border Brigade operates 18 Kondor-I-class patrol man Koni-class frigates, the Rostock and Berlin, and two auxiliary ships participated in the seventh deployment of the “Joint Squadron of the Allied Socialist Baltic Fleets” in June, including several joint exercises in the North Sea. During the 18-day uninterrupted deployment, the squadron transited about 5,500 nautical miles. The Rostock won three awards and was proclaimed as the best combat ship of the exercise.
Poland: The 19,300-man navy operates about 90 coastal and seagoing warships and about 40 auxiliaries and service craft.
The last SAM Kotlin-class missile destroyer (the Warszawa) was decommissioned in January 1986. As many as four 1,100-ton Kaszub-class frigates are being built at Stocznia Polnocna in Gdynia; the first was launched in February 1985- Armament and equipment are almost certainly of Soviet origin and are probably on par with that of the Soviet Grisha class.
The Polish Navy became the first nonSoviet fleet to acquire the most advanced Soviet diesel-electric torpedo attack submarine, a 3,000-ton Kilo: the Orzel was commissioned on 21 June. At least three more Kilos are expected to be transferred. The Kilos are armed with six 21- inch torpedo tubes, can make 20 knots submerged, and have a crew of 60. Two
One of East Germany’s three intelligence collections ships, the Jasmund flanks the U. S. helicopter amphibious assault ship Inchon (LPH-12) during Northern Wedding ’86 flight operations. Completed in 1985, the Jasmund has been used to monitor NATO forces in the Baltic.
boats (former minesweepers), ten 25-ton Bremse-class harbor patrol boats, and perhaps 30 smaller harbor and riverine patrol craft. It also controls two missile battalions equipped with the truck- mounted SSC-3 antiship missiles and five coastal gun batteries.
The Volksmarine’s ships took part in routine activities of the Warsaw Pact navies in the Baltic in 1986. Two East Ger- obsolescent ex-Soviet Whiskey-class diesel boats are still available, but will be replaced with new Kilos.
The navy has an old force of 16 missile- and torpedo-armed combat craft, and three modern missile corvettes. The Soviets have transferred three Tarantul-1' class missile corvettes to the Polish Navy, reportedly with as many as five more to follow. Twelve ex-Soviet Osa-1'
class missile boats acquired in the 1960s are still in service. Only four of the original 11 domestically built, but apparently not very successful, Wis/a-class torpedo boats were in service in 1986.
The navy’s aging amphibious lift capability is relatively large: 23 Soviet- designed, Polish-built, 770-1,150-ton Tolnocny-series landing ships; four ^larabut-class landing craft; and 14 Eichstaden-c\ass personnel landing craft. Ihe newest unit of any consequence was delivered in 1976. These, plus a number °f civilian-manned Ro/Ro ships, are intended to transport the 12,000-man 7th Sea Landing Division” of the ground ‘orces, which is specially equipped and teained for amphibious assault landings and deployed in the Gdansk area.
Eight old 150-ton Modified Obluze- cbss patrol boats and probably a dozen ^'-8 Hip helicopters provide coastal pa- tr°l and ASW. The navy’s ASW capabili- bes will be considerably enhanced by the addition of a large number of ex-Soviet I'di-14 Haze-A helicopters, which were 5®en publicly in 1986 on Polish “Sea Day ”
The mine warfare component includes * Soviet T-43-class and 12 domestically udt Krogulec-class ocean minesweepers- About ten 1950s-vintage K-8-class teshore minesweepers are still in service, ut are not capable of detecting and peeping the latest types of mines. Since y®2, the navy has commissioned five or teore 250-ton glass-reinforced plastic 'JRP)-hulled Notek-class coastal mine- keepers. Additional Noteks are proba- under construction.
The relatively large force of auxiliaries service craft includes six coastal ankers, two salvage ships, two AGIs, ,ree survey ships, two seagoing training niPs, three degaussing tenders, and orne service craft. Almost all are rela- ve!y new, and all were built in Poland. *he 2,500-man naval aviation arm berates a very elderly collection of ten °viet 11-28 Beagle bombers and 40 do- Jb.estically produced LiM-5 (MiG-17) and 'M-6 (MiG-19) ground support aircraft •jk a squadron of MiG-21 interceptors.
, ere is also a mixed collection of 25 ehcopters (Mi-2s, -4s, -8s), most of |(ilch were produced in Poland. The first ,(°bern Mi-14 Haze helicopters were j bu'red in 1986; probably as many as a ^?en of these helicopters will eventually transferred. A large number of the aer fixed-wing aircraft and helicopters e not operational.
co • 100-man coastal defense force
S<op'Sts °b- several battalions armed with b Samlet antiship missiles; a num- r °f coastal gun batteries emplaced at
the approaches to naval bases and important commercial ports; command and control centers; and combat engineer units.
Controlled by the Ministry of the Interior, the Polish Frontier Defense Troops operate a seagoing force of 11 large patrol craft (five Obluzes and six Gdansks) and 44 small craft (11 Pilicas, 12 Wis- lokas, 21 K-15s). These craft would be subordinate to the navy in wartime.
The Black Sea
Bulgaria: Except for a few West German-designed, domestically built auxiliary ships, all of the 4,000-man navy’s units were acquired from the Soviet Union, Poland, and East Germany.
Reportedly, a third relatively old Soviet Romeo-class diesel-electric torpedo attack submarine was acquired in 1985, and the third 1,480-ton Riga-class frigate in 1986. These transfers confirm that the Soviets do not intend to transfer modem ships to Bulgaria, despite its strong loyalty to Moscow.
The ASW component consists of three Poti-class corvettes and six obsolescent SO-I-class submarine chasers, but, reportedly, none of the SO-Is is serviceable. The three Osa-I- and three Osa- Il-class missile boats, and the seven Shershen-class torpedo boats, must be replaced soon. Five or six Soviet-built Zhuk-class coastal patrol craft are also in service. About 23 former-Soviet, 600-ton Vydra-class utility landing craft make up Bulgaria’s small, short-ranged amphibious lift capability. The navy has two old 570-ton T-43-, three fairly modern, 460- ton Sonya-, and six 245-ton Vanya-class coastal minesweepers, and four 90-ton Yevgenya-class inshore minesweepers.
The 3,500-ton, domestically built, Mesar-class underway replenishment ship was commissioned in 1980. Also in service are: three small harbor tankers, two survey ships (including one modem Moma-class), three salvage craft, several barracks barges, and a number of other small, obsolescent yard and service craft.
The 2,200-man coastal defense force consists of two or three battalions of truck-mounted SSC-2b Samlet antiship missiles and a number of radar-controlled gun batteries emplaced near naval bases, commercial ports, and radar stations. There are about a dozen small patrol craft based at Vidin, Atiya, and Balchik.
Romania: The 7,300-man navy has about 85 seagoing combatants and perhaps 40 auxiliary and service craft. The largest surface combatant is the missile destroyer Muntenia, classified by Romania as “battle cruiser,” which was commissioned in 1985. The ship is about the same displacement as a Soviet Kashin-class guided missile destroyer, but is entirely a Romanian design. Her electronics and weapons are Soviet: six launchers for SS-N-2C antiship missiles, one twin 76-mm. dual-purpose gun mount, four twin 30-mm. point defense guns, and two 21-inch multiple torpedo tube mounts. There is also a large hangar and flight deck for several helicopters.
The Romanians designed and delivered three 1,800-ton Tetal-class frigates between 1983 and 1985. The Tetals have not been observed publicly, but it is reported that they resemble Soviet Koni- class frigates and are armed with two twin 76-mm. dual-purpose guns, two twin AK-230 30-mm. antiaircraft guns, and ASW torpedo tubes. The navy’s ASW force includes three old ex-Soviet, 400-ton Poti-, and three obsolescent Kronshtadt-dass submarine chasers. Four West German-designed, 770-ton, M-40-class former minesweepers have been re-engined and reconfigured as ASW corvettes.
The navy operates a mixed collection of about 60 small combatant craft, including: six old Osa-I-class missile boats; 23 license-built, Huchuan-class semi- hydrofoil/torpedo boats; and 14 indigenous, 15-ton, 36-knot Epitrop-class torpedo boats. The Epitrops are based on the Soviet Osa hull and propulsion plant, and are fitted with Soviet sensors and weapons. They have three Soviet M503A diesel engines (12,000 horsepower), four 21-inch torpedo tubes, and two twin 30mm. antiaircraft guns. As many as 20 Epitrops may be built. Sixteen 135-ton Shanghai-II gunboats, built domestically under Chinese license, also serve.
The seagoing mine warfare component has declined, although the 12 old and not very useful 160-ton T-301-class inshore minesweepers soldier on. The largest and most modem mine warfare ships are two
- ton Cosar-class minelayers commissioned in 1981 and 1982.
The navy has improved its logistics support capabilities in recent years. Two
- ton Croitor-class logistics support ships were delivered in 1980 and can be used as ASW escorts. The Croitors resemble a scaled-down version of the Soviet Don-class submarine tender, and have one twin 57-mm. dual-purpose gun, two twin 30-mm. antiaircraft guns, and two twin 14.5-mm. machine guns. The Croitors also have SA-N-5 missiles, two RBU-1200 ASW rocket launchers, and a stem hangar and platform for helo operations. Also in service are one sailing training ship and perhaps 30 other small auxiliary ships and craft.
The Danube River Flotilla consists of:
Romania’s new “battle cruiser” the Muntenia, fitted entirely with Soviet electronics and weapons, is an exclusively Romanian design. The ship’s embarked helo is likely to be a French-designed Alouette-III, built under license.
one 400-ton Brutar-class monitor armed with one 100-mm. gun in a T-54/55 tank turret, one 18-barreled BM-21 rocket launcher, and two turreted twin 14.5mm. machine guns. The 40-unit river patrol force includes: 18 85-ton VB-76 river monitors, eight 40-ton VG-10- patrol craft, nine 22-ton SM-165- and five SD-200-class riverine patrol craft, plus 25 VO-141 river minesweepers, the latter having entered service since 1975 to replace Polish-built TR-40 river minesweepers.
The last Warsaw Pact navy to establish an air arm, the Romanian naval air squadron comprises six Mi-14 Haze-A ASW helicopters. These cannot be accommodated by any of the navy’s helo- capable ships, which probably operate domestically built, French-designed Alouette-III helos. The 600-man coastal defense force probably consists of one Samlet missile battalion, a number of coastal gun batteries, and a number of signal and radar stations along the 150- mile Romanian coastline.
The Romanians are constructing a 47- mile (210-feet wide) Poarta Alba-Midia Navodari canal, which will connect Bucharest with the Danube River, and hence has military as well as commercial importance. The minimum depth is about 17 feet. Bucharest’s harbor will be built at Darasti on the Arges River, and a large artificial lake is proposed for the Mihailisti-Cortetu area. The canal was to be completed by late 1986.
The Adriatic Sea
Albania: The 3,300-man navy operates about 45 mostly small surface combatants and about 12 auxiliaries and service craft.
The navy’s two ex-Soviet, 1,350-ton Whiskey-class submarines are barely operable, owing to a lack of spare parts. An additional Whiskey serves as a charging station; some sources claim that it also serves as a harbor training boat—a logical combination. The navy’s principal surface units include six Chinese-built Shanghai-II-class gunboats and 32 46-ton Huchuan-class hydrofoil torpedo boats. The remaining 12 ex-Soviet P-4-class torpedo boats are probably not in service, nor are two old Soviet-built, 330-ton Kronshtadt-class submarine chasers. The mine warfare force consists of a single ex-Soviet T-43-class minesweeper and four T-301-cIass inshore minesweepers, all kept in reserve. Reportedly, only two T-301s have been operational (marginally) since 1979. Also in service are one former Soviet 1,750-ton Khobi-class coastal tanker, one 450-ton Toplivo-I- class yard tanker, and about ten yard service craft.
The navy does not control the coastal defense force, but some sources claim that about 400 naval personnel serve in coastal defense units. Reportedly, the army has three artillery battalions deployed near naval bases and commercial ports, and pillboxes have been built along the entire coast, in some places at 300600-foot intervals.
Yugoslavia: The navy operates many warships, river combatants, auxiliary ships, and service craft. About 2,300 of the 13,100 naval personnel serve in the coastal defense force.
Yugoslavia has had the largest submarine force among non-Soviet East European navies until recently, but, pending expected new deliveries, the inventory has declined. Still carried on the order of battle are two 964-ton Sava-class and two or three 1,350-ton Heroj-class submarines, although, reportedly, the Heroj was stricken in 1982 after an accident. Two 945-ton Sutjeska-class patrol submarines were recently removed from service. Reportedly, a new, improved class of submarines—a Sava follow-on—that will be capable of sustained Mediterranean deployment will be delivered soon. A number of indigenously designed Mala (R-2)-class midget submarines are used by frogman/commando teams, and have been exported to Libya, the Soviet Union, and Sweden. The second of the new 100-ton Una-class “diversionary (midget) submarines,” probably commissioned in 1986, has a five-man crew and space for eight combat swimmers and their four two-man delivery vehicles and mines. More Unas are under construction, at least one of which may be for Libya.
The navy’s largest surface combatants are two Soviet-built, 1,900-ton Koni- class frigates. Both the Split and Kopcr have four single launchers for SS-N-2C missiles plus their standard armament.
The second of the indigenously designed, 1,850-ton Kotor-class missile frigates (probably named the Pula) was launched in early 1986 and will be commissioned in early 1987. These frigates, classified as “large patrol ships,” vaguely resemble the Soviet Koni class and are powered by two 4,800-horsepower French Pielstick PA6 V280 diesels and one Soviet 15,000-horsepower gas turbine, providing an estimated maximum speed of 27 knots. Reportedly> these frigates have four launchers for Soviet SS-N-2C missiles, an SA-N-d missile system, a twin 76-mm. gun, two twin Soviet 30-mm. antiaircraft guns, and two ASW rocket launchers--^ basically the same armament as the Yugoslav Konis.
The navy’s ASW force is small, old, and inadequate. Two old domestically built, 430-ton Mornar-c\ass corvettes arc of limited value, as is the 409-ton Udar' nik (French Le Fougueaux class), which underwent a modest modernization if 1984. There are unconfirmed reports that two corvette-sized ships of a neW Biokovo class are under construction in a domestic yard, and would probably replace the Mornars.
The navy’s small combatant force includes the first of a planned ten domestically built Kobra- and six Rade Koncar- class “missile-gun boats,” ten Soviet Osa-I-class “missile boats,” and 1^ Shershen-class “torpedo boats.” Reportedly, the 525-ton Kobra-class (Type-400)
about 24 32-ton DTC-601-class per-
corvettes will replace older Osas. These corvettes are powered by four West German MTU 538TB92 high-speed diesels and can attain a maximum speed of about 34 knots. Reportedly, they are armed with: four Soviet SS-N-2C antiship missiles; one Italian-produced, 76-mm. OTO-Melara dual -purpose gun; one twin 40-mm. Breda Dardo dual-purpose gun; and two quad 20-mm. antiaircraft guns. The Rade Koncars are each armed with two Soviet SS-N-2B antiship missiles, cut the propulsion plants, guns, and most sensors are Western. The old Osa-Is and Shershens should be replaced soon.
Ten modem Mima- and six older Type- 131-class “patrol boats” are operated by •he Maritime Border Brigade and con- fr°lled by the Directorate of Frontier Troops of the Yugoslav General Staff. *ne 120-ton Mimas, designed to succeed he Type-13Is, are powered by two SEMT Pielstick 12PA4 200 GDS diesels, have a maximum speed of about 30 knots, and reportedly have six-knot elec- Wc cruise motors. Several Type-13 Is ave been withdrawn from service or transferred to friendly navies over the Past few years. Several classes of coastal Patrol craft are under construction in Yugoslav shipyards. The first 80-ton Typed coastal patrol craft entered service in y°4. Also in service are several new 55- ‘°n> 16-knot Type-20-, 23-ton, 15-knot ype-18-, and eight 19.5-ton, 16-knot Dpe- 15-class river and patrol craft. The ypc-18s can carry up to four tons of Cargo.
The navy’s mine warfare component ^°nsists of four modernized, French- signed, domestically built, 440-ton "aus-class coastal minesweepers, and °ur British-designed, domestically built, 0-ton Ham- and six domestically de- 'gned, 130-ton Ml 17-class inland mine- ^Weepers. One of the Ml 17s performs ydrographic surveys. About a dozen old *M-211 -class tank landing craft/mine- 7ers are operational and can carry six j.a°ks and 120 troops. All submarines, 'gates, and torpedo boats can carry '"es. Since 1978, the Yugoslav ship- ^ard at Vela Luka (island of Korcula) has onnel landing craft with glass-reinforced jtast'c hulls. The amphibious lift capabil- y cap be increased with about a dozen lv'lian-manned ferries, 30 ferry craft -p'l,T1e hydrofoils), and nine Ro/Ro ships.
e 2,000-man naval infantry brigade cployed in the Bay of Cattaro area is ntvk-^ly e9u'PPed and trained for am- Jh'ous assault landings.
he auxiliary force—as many as 12 astal transports, six small tankers, and erhaps four ammunition lighters—is relatively small and old. These include three Lubin (PO-91)-class transport/ ammunition/landing ships built in the early 1980s. The 860-ton, 16-knot Lubins can carry up to 150 troops and six tanks. The largest auxiliary ship is the 5,700-ton training ship/minelayer Galeb (the former Italian Ramb III), which also serves as the fleet’s flagship. Also serving is one modem 1,590-ton, domestically built Spasilac-dass salvage ship, a 1,540-ton Moma-class hydrographic survey ship acquired from Poland, as many as a dozen tugs, and a host of smaller service craft.
The 400-man naval aviation arm consists almost exclusively of helicopters: eight Ka-25 Hormone-A ASW/search and rescue (SAR) helicopters, 18 transport and liaison/utility helicopters (ten SA341 Soko/Aerospatiale Gazelles and eight Mi-8 Hips), and four Canadair CL- 215 SAR amphibians: A few very old De Havilland DHC-6 Twin Otter light transport seaplanes are apparently still providing training/liaison. The navy is contemplating the acquisition of attack helicopters armed with antiship missiles.
The 2,300-man coastal defense force operates a number of antiship missile batteries and coastal artillery. According to recent reports, these batteries’ SSC-2B Samlet missiles were replaced starting in 1984-85 by the longer-ranged, more advanced, truck-mounted SSC-3 missiles (a land-based version of the SS-N-2C Styx). The artillery force consists of about 24 batteries of 152-mm. M-37, 130-mm. M-54, and 85-mm. M-44 coastal guns. Most batteries are fixed, but some are mobile. Reportedly, new models of guns, presumably domestically designed and produced, have been introduced into service since the early 1980s. Some of the old but still effective former German 88-mm. Flak-36 guns are probably kept in storage.
The riverine warfare force includes an unknown number of 23-ton, 20-knot, armed Type-16 and five or more Type-15 patrol craft; most can also carry a few troops. Also in service with the River War Flotilla are seven 78-ton Neslin-dass
Ten 120-ton, 30-knot Mima-class patrol boats form the nucleus of Yugoslavia’s growing Maritime Border Brigade. These craft are armed with 40-mm. and 20-mm. antiaircraft guns.
river minesweepers,” four “river landing craft, and a few auxiliary craft. As many as ten Nestins were transferred to Hungary and three to Iraq. The 693-ton Kozara (ex-U. S. Army Oregon, which was taken over from Germany [the Brunhild] after World War II and turned over to Yugoslavia) serves as the flagship of the River War Flotilla and was joined in that role by the 200-ton Sabac in 1985.
A graduate of the Yugoslav Naval Academy, Dr. Vego served 12 years in the Yugoslav Navy and attained the rank of lieutenant commander before resigning in 1973. He served in the West German merchant marine as a second mate before coming to the United States in 1976. He has a Ph.D. in European History from George Washington University and a Master Mariner’s license. He has been published widely in the Western press on naval matters and is currently a naval analyst with a research organization in Alexandria. Virginia. He is also the Adjunct Professor of East European History and Government at the Defense Intelligence Agency’s Defense Intelligence College.
Middle Eastern, North African, and South Asian Navies
By Michael Vlahos
From the Magreb to Malabar, the pace of warship deliveries continued to slow during 1986. Earlier contracts have ensured a continuing flow of combatants, but few new contracts were signed. There is talk of new ship projects—from submarines for Saudi Arabia and Israel to cruisers and carriers for India—but little serious money has been laid down. After the spending spree of the late 1970s and early 1980s, the Third World admiralties have reduced their expectations. Reality, which accompanied the falling price of oil, has tempered many grandiose fleet fantasies.
Two major naval issues were the U. S.-Libyan confrontation and the Iran- Iraq War. In the first, the credibility of missile-armed fast attack craft against a balanced carrier task force was dealt another blow-—and with it the notion of a cheap naval missile deterrent to buttress Third World maritime interests. In the second, the continuing need for naval escort, patrol, and support of combined operations was underscored, as well as the limited influence of naval power on the land war in Mesopotamia.
In combat actions since 1973 along the Magreb to Malabar zone of geopolitical conflict, fast attack craft have been highly vulnerable to Exocet, Harpoon, and Gabriel missiles. In contrast, throughout the Persian Gulf tanker war, large merchant vessels have been relatively resistant to the modest warheads of Western antiship missiles. Operational experience, including the Eilat and Sheffield sinkings, might argue the potential survivability of large ships against antiship missiles, while combatants smaller than 2,000-3,000 tons—the very ships designed to carry the vaunted “cheap killer”—have become their most likely victims.
The Barbary Coast
Morocco: Discussions were reportedly held in 1985 between the royal government and the Netherlands for the acquisition of four Fatahilah-class small missile frigates, similar to those recently built for Indonesia. At the same time, talks were held with Frederikshavn Shipyard in Denmark to obtain an Osprey-type coast guard patrol vessel. In February 1985, the Moroccan government placed orders with Bazan Shipyard for three Lazaga- class missile boats with an option for three more; four are already in the fleet.
Algeria: Algerian naval programs were relatively quiescent in 1986. A Bulgarian-designed 54-meter patrol boat launched in 1984 was still not completely fitted out at Mers-el-Kebir in 1986. Three more Brooke-Marine-designed 37.5- meter patrol boats were ordered for the coast guard from Mers-el-Kebir in November 1985, bringing the total programmed for this class to nine; the fourth entered service in November 1985. Three Watercraft P-1200-class patrol craft also entered service in late November 1985. The Algerian Navy is still considering replacements for its two leased Soviet Romeo-class diesel submarines, which are reportedly scheduled to return to the Soviet Union in 1987-88, probably for scrapping.
Tunisia: The striking power of the Tunisian fleet is concentrated in three Com- battante-III fast attack craft; the program was completed by the end of 1985. The navy is still seeking a replacement for the President Bourguiba, a former U. S. radar picket. The only construction program is for a class of ten 28-knot customs boats being built in Tunisia with South Korean assistance. The first of the class was launched in February 1986 and was in service by March.
Libya: In action against units of the U. S. Navy on 24-25 March 1986, the Libyan fleet suffered its first combat damage. Its most recent combatant acquisition, a Soviet-built Nanuchka-II-class corvette, was sunk by Harpoon missiles launched from two A-6E aircraft from the Saratoga (CV-60) and Coral Sea (CV- 43) on 25 March. The day before, a Combattante-II, the Waheed, was sunk by two Harpoons launched by two America (CV-66) A-6Es. A Nanuchka-II patrol boat was attacked that afternoon with Rockeye Mk-20 cluster bombs and was possibly damaged, though it was able to return to port.
The only major combatant delivery to Libya was its first Soviet-built Koni-class frigate, the Al-Hani, which was commissioned in-country on 28 June. Reportedly, a second Libyan Koni might arrive in 1987; it seems that the Soviet builder can manage at most to complete one of that export class each year.
The four Type-400 guided missile patrol boats ordered from Kraljevica Shipyard in Yugoslavia at the end of 1984 are apparently still under construction. Ships contracted with Turkish shipyards are also still being built and delivered. These include a second batch of six SAR-33 fast patrol boats being built at Tashikizak Shipyard in Istanbul, and the balance of an order for 50 landing craft (based on the World War II British LCT-4) from Tashikizak and Golguk naval shipyards- The eighth (and presumably final) Natya- class fleet minesweeper arrived from the