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African two-way street. In 1984, an Ethiopian defector steamed this Swiftships patrol boat (top) to enemy Somalia, where it now serves. Last year, Djibouti increased its own patrol boat force when it received a second French-built Plascoa (above).
Swiftships patrol boat to Somalia. Evidently, the unit now serves with the Somalian Navy. The rest of the navy’s inventory includes two Soviet 128-foot Osa-IIs, four 128-foot Soviet Mol-class patrol boats (two have four 21-inch torpedo tubes), five 97-foot Poluchat patrol boats, one 249-foot Polnocny medium landing ship, and four 65-foot T4 landing craft. Somalia is scheduled to receive a 105-foot patrol boat and spare parts for the ex-Ethiopian Swiftships unit under
the MAP program in 1987.
Djibouti: Previously known as the French Territory of the Afars and Issas, two main ethnic groups continue to divide the nation, one aligned with Ethiopia and the other with Somalia. Both Ethiopia and Somalia would like to control the French-built seaport of Djibouti, but the presence of a 5,000-man French force is an effective deterrent. French forces provide naval security for Djibouti, although a Djibouti Navy does exist. There are three landing craft, one Tecimar 30-ton patrol craft, and two 76-foot Plascoa patrol craft received from France in 198586. Should Djibouti need military assistance, the French would more than likely become involved; they provide nearly $9 million per year in military assistance. Late in 1986, Djibouti announced plans to grant Soviet ships the use of storage and port facilities. Considering the already strong Soviet naval presence in the area—at Ethiopia’s Dahlak naval base and at Socotra Island in the Gulf of Aden—this is an ominous development in the long-range Soviet plans to control access to the vital Red Sea shipping route.
Ethiopia: Despite the 1,500-man navy’s size and impressive naval combatants, it has very limited combat capabilities and is unable to defend and patrol all of its 630-nautical mile coastline. Ethiopia cannot overhaul major naval units,
and most of the ships have suffered owing to age and neglect.
There is a naval base and college at Massawa, a naval base and ship repair . facility at Assab, a marine commando training school at Debre Birhan, and the Soviets maintain numerous naval units at the Dahlak Island naval support facility- With South Yemen on the eastern shore of the Bab El Mandeb Strait and Ethiopia on the western shore, the Soviets have allies on both sides of this strategic choke point.
The navy has 22 dedicated ships, mostly Soviet, Iranian, and ex-U. S. units, including two Soviet Petya-II-class corvettes delivered in 1983-84, two 128- foot Soviet Mol patrol boats, four Osa-H missile boats, two 249-foot Polnocny landing ships, two 75-foot Zhuk patrol boats, and three 105-foot Swiftships patrol craft. A 6,615-deadweight ton cargo ship was acquired in 1985, possibly as a replacement for the ancient U. S. Bar- negat-class training ship Ethiopia (ex- Orca [AVP-49]).
Sudan: Africa’s largest country has a 400-nautical mile coastline and two naval facilities, both near Port Sudan. The 2,200-man navy is the smallest branch of Sudan’s armed forces. Sudanese disinterest in maintaining a viable naval force since its break from a Yugoslavian naval assistance program in 1972 has caused a dramatic decline in naval operational readiness. The navy operates (marginally) 11 former Yugoslavian and Iranian ships, including four 25-year-old Yugoslav-built 115-foot patrol boats. Two Spanish Casa C-212 Aviocar aircraft are used for maritime patrolling.
Commissioned in December 1986, Ensign Meason >s an intelligence research specialist for the Navy Operational Intelligence Center at Suitland, Maryland, and a reserve intelligence officer with the Defense Intelligence Agency’s Current Intelligence unit. He received a B.S. degree in political science front Southern Illinois University in 1980 and an MA- degree in international relations from Georgetown University in 1985.
Far Eastern Navies
By Lieutenants P. D. Jones and J. V. P. Goldrick, Royal Australian Navy
Several of the region’s navies enjoyed steady progress in 1986, while others, notably Malaysia, were forced to slow the pace of expansion because of financial restrictions. The sophistication and operational expertise of the naval forces of the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) members have increased significantly. This was perhaps best demonstrated by the various multinational exercises such as the now annual Starfish series, held under the Five Power defense arrangements. The 1986 exercise had 25 ships and 24 aircraft from Malaysia, Singapore, Australia, New Zealand, and Britain; the new Malaysian units drew considerable attention.
The transfer of technology to Asian nations has continued, and more countries, including China, South Korea, and
Indonesia, are not only producing systems under license for indigenous use, but are turning to foreign markets with their own designs. Western involvement with Asian programs will continue for the forseeable future, but there is no doubt about the direction of the trend.
Japan: The measured expansion of the capabilities of the Japanese Maritime Sen Defence Forces (JMSDF) has continued,
®spite deep misgivings in some quarters 01 Japanese society. The storm created by •^Porting in the March 1985 Proceedings at the JMSDF was considering the pur- tjhase of a helicopter carrier showed that he growth of the JMSDF is still a sensi- 'Ve issue. In contrast, the JMSDF is aced with an expanded Soviet Pacific eet that is the major naval force in the n°tthwest Pacific and capable of deploy- ln8 balanced carrier and surface action §r°ups as well as amphibious forces. The
So
jhan a token Indian Ocean presence, and ,Ccent exercises have indicated Soviet nt®rest in operations in the northwest. In ition, the Reagan Administration has attained its pressure on the Japanese °vernment to “share the load” in the region.
y, ^1.'s mor|th, the Takeshio, the eighth tw'S "o-class submarine, enters service; Ij 0 more are on order and another has uCen requested. Construction of further
Unn tb's c*ass evident|y continue
C| 1 J*16 successor to the older Uzushio ■ 9^ Smerges from the design office. In fo k JaPanese submarines participated PAn 6 ^lrst t'me 'n the international RIM- ^ exercise off Hawaii. f0ae surface fleet is to be divided into jnr antisubmarine warfare (ASW) hunt- S/f' ®rouPs centered on one of the °r °*derHaruna-class destroy- t0 ’ vc to seven destroyers are attached each group. The lead ship of the Wa -ze''c'ass guided missile destroyers on ^ Cornmissioned last year and the sec- sip 1S ^ue 'n *988. These ships are de- AS\y^ l° bo*ster dlc air defense of the be r ,bunt*ng groups and will probably load °Wed by a class of 8 ’ 500-ton full (j displacement units incorporating the Th l ^e8's radar and weapon system, stro ast.tWoHatsuyuki-class ASW de- brin'VCrS J°'ned the fleet earlier this year, Slng the total to 12. The Asagiri, the
first of at least eight improved versions of the class, will commission in March 1988. The newer all-steel ships will be longer and have an updated machinery and sensor fit. For coastal ASW protection, 11 Chikugo-class frigates constitute the core force. This class has proved to be useful, and a modernization package can
Certain to bolster Japan’s ASW surface hunting groups will be the Japanese version of the U. S. Navy’s SH-60B LAMPS-III Seahawk—the XSH-60J, which flew (without full avionics) for the first time in 1986.
be expected. The older Isuzu-class frigates will be decommissioned as the first of a new, 1,900-ton standard displacement frigate class enters service; the first pair were authorized in the 1986 budget for delivery in March 1990. In October 1986, it was announced that Japan would acquire three 65-ton Italian Sparviero- class hydrofoils for delivery by 1990, with an eventual total of 18 planned’; these are a far cry from the 250-ton craft originally planned to replace the five PT11-class torpedo boats.
The JMSDF has the world’s fourth largest mine warfare force, and one of the most modem. There are plans to construct a class of 1,000-ton deep ocean minesweepers to follow the 19 Hat- sushima-class 620-ton minehunters laid
down since 1977, but a request for the first unit was denied under the fiscal year 1987 budget. The program was to have been followed after two years by a two- per-year building program that was to have been supplemented by a class of eight smaller minehunters in the early 1990s. The goal of providing an underway replenishment ship for each ASW group came closer to fruition with the commissioning of the Towada this month. This brought the total to three tankers, with a second Towada-class requested in the fiscal year 1987 program and a third planned.
In 1986, development efforts continued on the Japanese variant of the U. S. Navy’s SH-60B LAMPS-III, the XSH- 60J. The first fully equipped unit flew in 1986 and an indigenous production program is under way. It will be interesting to see whether the JMSDF intends to equip its new P-3C Orion maritime patrol aircraft with Harpoon missiles for the antisurface role, one that is gaining increasing significance with the development of Soviet power in the area. In fiscal year 1986, six MH-53E heavy minesweeping helicopters were authorized and two more were requested under fiscal year 1987 to replace the aging fleet of KV-107 (license-built CH-46) sweepers.
China: Over the last year, the West’s technology transfer to the People’s Liberation Army-Navy (PLA-N) has begun to manifest itself at sea. Owing to political and financial restraints, the Chinese have been selective in their purchases and will not depend on one supplier.
Port visits by Western navies (including the U. S. Navy, Royal Navy [UK], and Royal Australian Navy) during 1985 and 1986 have served as an impetus in the struggle to drag the PLA-N into the 1980s. The willingness of the United States, Britain, and France to provide defense systems has been a godsend to the Chinese because there is no way that the PLA-N could have achieved this “great leap forward” alone. It is hoped that the Western nations have fully considered the implications such sales will have upon the region’s naval balance.
The PLA-N submarine arm maintained its preeminence in the service. Last year, the second Xia-class ballistic missile boat may have become operational (armed with the 1,800-mile CSS-NX-3 missile), although the operational status of the missile system itself is in doubt. Two more boats are under construction, and eight more units are projected. Details about the status of the Han-class nuclear attack boat remain sketchy. Three boats are in service and two more reportedly are under construction. Although it is believed that the Hans have been updated with French sonars, the basic design is more than 20 years old; a successor is warranted. Similarly, a new patrol submarine to replace the venerable Romeo and the unsuccessful Ming classes is needed. It is expected that any new design would allow for the SY-2 (also designated C801) antiship missile to be fitted. One interesting development in this direction has been the appearance of the Wuhan class, a modification of the
and an associated fire control system are fitted. It is expected that succeeding units may have the French 100-mm. Compact gun, which has already been fitted to a helicopter hangar-equipped variant of the Jianghau frigate design launched in September 1985. The 15 Luda-class destroyers are expected to be fitted with U. S. Mark-46 ASW torpedoes. Egypt’s purchase of two Jianghus suggests that there is a market for cheap, simple, and robust escorts in the Third World, although the ships would be incapable of dealing with modem opponents.
Provided that the projected prototype H3 missile boat is a success, an extensive production run can be expected. However, the H3 would be a very sophisticated attack craft for any navy to maintain in large numbers. The PLA-N has a patrol force of about 500 units and an ongoing building program for smaller classes will continue, whatever the future of the missile craft force.
With the public appearance of the new PS5 flying boat, the projected production of Super Frelons in China, and the order of at least three ASW packages (including dipping sonar) for reequipping three surviving French-built examples of the latter, there is no doubt that the Chinese are devoting considerable attention to naval air activities with a particular emphasis on ASW. In addition, there have been suggestions that a Chinese-produced variant of the Dauphin helicopter will be carried in the helicopter-capable Jianghu variant and on the programmed LM2500 gas turbine-powered “frigate” version of
Evidence of China’s growing ASW capability appeared last year in the form of the new PS5 flying boat, described as a patrol and ASW bomber. Across the Formosa Strait, Taiwan’s inshore defense is provided by about 50 Hai Ou-class missile boats (opposite), evidently patterned closely on the Israeli Dvora class.
Romeo fitted to fire four antiship missiles on the surface.
Activity in the surface fleet has been considerable, with Chinese warship design following Western trends for the first time, although not in every direction. The new frigate class incorporates French machinery and eight tubes for a new antiship missile. Photographs of the lead ship reveal that Chinese twin 100-mm. guns
the Luda class, a logical step in the integration of rotary-winged aircraft into flee! operations.
Taiwan: The navy is still grappling with the problem of modernizing its aging fleet. The most modern major fleet unit was commissioned in 1946. Despite this, the 13 Gearing (DD-710)-class destroyers—the backbone of the fleet—are being updated with Hsiung Feng and Sea
panted. Another problem for Taiwan is ^ acquisition of modem torpedoes in a 0 itically unfriendly environment; in- ^'ries have been made about the British of p^’ l^e Mk-37C, and a number European torpedoes.
(j Stability problems caused the cancella- 0r> of the Lung Chiang-c\ass guided- 'ssile patrol boat building program after y two vessels. The 32-meter Suikiang
class
thei
Chapparal missiles, and sundry other ■mprovements. Similar modifications have also been performed on even older Units of the Allen M. Sumner (DD-692) and Fletcher (DD-992) classes. Taiwan will have to bite the bullet before long on a new destroyer/frigate design with automated combat data systems. There have been extensive efforts throughout this decade to consummate a cooperative construction program for a modern frigate design.
On a more positive note, the two excellent Dutch Seadragon-class subma- r,nes, Hal Lung and Hai Hu, will become °Perational in the near future. The proposal to locally produce follow-on boats
stiH worth serious consideration, although the Dutch Government’s reaction t° Chinese pressure over the possibility of urther units being built for Taiwan in the J/jetherlands suggests that licenses for aiwanese construction would not be
was developed as a replacement; ofare at least five in service and a total v-1 planned. Inshore defense is pro- t1). ed by perhaps 50 small Hai Ou-class l3SS,le b°ats- The mine warfare force of CeCoastal vessels is hopelessly obsoles- ncnt, and a ntajor replacement effort is tn 6 cd- In particular, the introduction of gj.^bimters into the Taiwanese Navy is
32^|le Taiwanese naval air arm operates f0r **• Trackers, all to be virtually rebuilt and ^ years more service by Boeing fed 3 ^aCt announced in August; initial c tveries of the Garrett turboprop- reengined aircraft are to commence in 1988.
South Korea: The strength of the South Korean economy combined with continued tension in the demilitarized zone with the north have allowed the Republic of Korea Navy (ROKN) to push ahead with its extensive modernization program. This has been assisted by the success of the Hyundai, Tacoma, and Korea shipyards, which are now the major naval exporters in the Pacific.
One of the most interesting features of the ROKN has been the growth of the fledgling submarine force. Currently, one 175-ton inshore boat is in service, but of greater significance is the design competition for a class of patrol submarines. Consortia promoting the French Agosta- 80, the West German IKL-1200, and the Italian Sauro designs have been involved. However, a change among the senior naval personnel involved in the project is
believed to have delayed selection of the winning design.
The backbone of the ROKN destroyer fleet is provided by seven Harpoon-fitted Gearing-class destroyers, as well as two of the Allen M. Sumner class. Currently, at least three Ulsan-class frigates are in service, with a total of five in the program. A version with a helicopter for over-the-horizon targeting would be a true replacement for the old destroyers. At least ten new 1,140 ton corvettes of a planned 18 are now in commission. These ships have replaced the Charles Lawrence (APD-37)-class escorts and have considerable potential for export sales. South Korea has ordered a number of Ferranti AIO systems in a package that includes radar and other equipment from other British firms. Given shipbuilding activity on the Korean scale, however, it will not be long before licensed production of electronics replaces importation.
The ROKN’s missile and patrol craft are modern and well-maintained. A new
class of missile boat to succeed the PSMM5s is expected, and will no doubt have greater air defense capability—in line with the latest European designs. The ROKN’s mine warfare capability will receive a much-needed boost with the introduction of up to ten locally produced SK-5000 mine countermeasures ships, reportedly based on the very successful Italian Lerici design. The development of an offensive mining capability would pose a serious tactical problem for the North Korean Navy, particularly because the latter is apparently devoid of minesweepers.
An order was expected at the end of 1986 for no less than 16 Indonesian-built CN-235 patrol aircraft. These will not only markedly improve the ROKN’s maritime surveillance capabilities but, in concert with the many new patrol vessels, satisfy the country’s patrol requirements for its exclusive economic zone.
North Korea: The ROKN’s impressive developments have not been emulated by the North Korean Navy. This is not surprising: North Korea lacks South Korea’s technological base and has only a quarter of the gross national product of its neighbor. The 17 Romeo-class submarines are the main striking arm of the navy. A successor design for the class is needed, but this may depend on developments in China and in the PLA-N.
Similarly, the flow of Western defense equipment through the PLA-N would eventually, if permitted, allow modernization programs to be started on the two North Korean Najin-class frigates and the Soju-class missile boats. Finally, the large, if not very commodious, amphibious force continues to expand, with six Hantae-class small landing ships in service and possibly more to come.
Thailand: The Royal Thai Navy (RTN) has improved steadily in all sections of the fleet, although the incorporation of a submarine arm has been delayed while the final submarine consortium is selected. Two short-listed submarines are the German Type-209 and the Swedish Ndcken variant, although negotiations with China for the far less expensive (and far less capable) Romeo have continued.
The Thai flagship, the Makut Rajakumarn, is being extensively modernized with Harpoon and Sea Sparrow missiles. The two PF-103-class light frigates have also been updated, while both ships of the U. S.-built Ratanakosin missile corvette class are now operational. These corvettes are quite sophisticated and will tax the RTN’s support division.
Six modem Exocet- or Gabriel-fitted missile boats and seven large patrol boats head a varied force of more than 85
The 890-ton Ratankosin (right) and her sister the Sukhothai, both built by Tacoma Boatbuilders of Tacoma, Washington, are new additions to Thailand’s improving navy. A third Harpoon-equipped unit may be built in Thailand.
smaller craft. This force is heavily committed to anti-piracy, refugee, fisheries, and Mekong River work. Thailand’s sizeable—if aged—naval aviation arm has been supplemented by three Fokker F-27 Maritime patrol aircraft (one of which was lost and is being replaced by a new unit to be delivered in April 1987); two more of the new F27-400 version were ordered in July 1986. Five Bell 214ST helicopters for naval work are to be delivered by June 1987, with seven more programmed to arrive by the end of 1988.
The RTN’s amphibious force follows a familiar pattern in being composed of exWorld War II tonnage. In recent years, the Thais have embarked on the local construction of utility landing craft; in 1984, the first two of a planned six French-designed tank landing ships were ordered from a Thai yard. Also on order are ten Exocet shore batteries, which should be particularly effective in protecting the Sattahip naval base.
Burma: Owing to the army’s dominance and the protracted rebel activities in Burma’s border regions, the Burmese Navy’s budget is small. The main tasks of the Burmese fleet, which consists of two old corvettes and a mixed force of patrol boats, are coast surveillance and riverine patrols. The demands on the navy will increase dramatically if the gas reserves in .the Gulf of Martaban are exploited; the very modest patrol craft construction program will need to be expanded with renewed emphasis on oceangoing units.
Malaysia: The Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) has been the fastest growing navy in Asia. The personnel strength of the service in 1981 was 6,000; today it is estimated to be about 11,000. In the same period, two light frigates, two corvettes, four glass-reinforced plastic minehunters, and a support ship have been commissioned. It is probably just as well that this rapid expansion has been halted temporarily by the fall in price of the nation’s main foreign currency earners—oil and tin. This has delayed orders for two more frigates, possibly four missile bo^ts, and the introduction of submarines. Overall, allocations for capital equipment over the next five years are 50% lower than the figures for 1980-85. The “Fifth Malaysia Plan” emphasizes consolidation and training rather than procurement. A typical casualty is the submarine project, with Malaysia apparently rejecting a British offer that included a modernized former-Royal Navy Oberon. However, such ships remain a major Malaysian goal; the purchase of new or second-hand boats are planned for the sixth or seventh five-year plan.
The new Kasturi-class frigates are proving successful. Alouette-III helicopters currently embark for short periods, pending delivery of eight Wasp helicopters; nine naval pilots have completed training. Ten Lynx helicopters could be purchased if a suitable (and cheap) training and support package can be worked out with Britain.
A notable new class at sea is the Musytari-c\ass offshore patrol ship. These unusual ships, armed with a Creusot-Loire 100-mm. gun, stem from a naval staff requirement for a patrol ship with a shore bombardment capability. They are bound to be handy, and can supplement the frigate force.
Singapore: The Republic of Singapore (RSN) has ordered two of a planned order for six 500-ton missile corvettes from West Germany, with the lead unit to be built there and the remainder under license in Singapore. These ships will be armed with the OTO-Melara 76-mm. Super Rapid gun, Harpoon missiles, a point defense missile system, ASW torpedoes, and an EDO-780 variable depth sonar. These corvettes are the long- awaited supplement to the six missile and 18 patrol craft comprising the RSN. They will provide the necessary command platforms for the navy and give shipping in the eastern approaches to the Malacca Strait some measure of ASW protection. It is believed that the RSN will be able to handle the complexities of the new combatants, although manpower shortages may be experienced.
Singapore’s two ex-U. S. Redwing- class coastal minesweepers need to be replaced; a force of four to six inshore minehunters would be realistic. The safe passage of merchant ships through the
Malacca Strait is in the interest not only of Singapore but also Malaysia and Indonesia. It would be worthwhile for these nations to create a standing multinational mine warfare force as an experiment in extended combined operations.
The Philippines: The fall of the Marcos regime provided the Republic of the Philippines Navy (RPN) with a great morale boost. Changes have occurred in the command hierarchy, and a new sense of purpose and direction is being felt. In recent years, the navy has had to concentrate on supporting military operations against insurgent groups. The Aquino government has placed a high priority on settling this armed struggle, principally by a political settlement. Although the success of these efforts is open to doubt, the long-term effect could be a reduction in brown-water operations and greater participation in multinational activities.
However, the state of the RPN is not good. The priorities for funds under the new administration do not rate the RP6 high, and the material state of the fleet is such that an inventory rationalization was ordered. A stark picture has been reported by foreign observers, some saying that of 250 ships, barely 100 are now serviceable, of which only 30 are regularly operational. It is also reported that the four Barnegat-class cutters have finally been stricken. Perhaps more disturbing is the fact that some newly commissioned units are not yet operational owing to insufficient stores support. There are all®' gations, in the wake of the Marcos hegira, of corruption in the patrol craft construction program. Clearly, the RP^ will take years to regenerate, and only with assistance from traditional allies.
Indonesia: The Indonesian Navy slowly continues to improve its surface fleet and surveillance forces. The organizational restructuring of the armed forces is complete; the navy can only benefit- The only dark cloud is the economy. On production remains the life-blood of the nation, so the drop in crude prices has forced budgetary tradeoffs. One example is the delay in further submarine orders. After a teething period, the first two
Type-209s have settled down into a normal operating cycle; the first returned to her German builders for its first regular overhaul late last year.
The surface fleet received two ex- ^utch Van Speijk-class frigates, with two to follow. These ships are in fair condi- ,10n and will provide the navy with true oceangoing escorts. The three recently commissioned ex-Royal Navy Tribal- class frigates are employed on training and patrol duties and can be expected to remain in service for ten years. The long- range Sagitario frigate program envisions "ldigenous construction of six units in cooperation with a European builder.
Last year’s Indonesia Air Show at Kemayoran spotlighted developments in . naval air arm and the air force’s mari- hme wing, including the locally produced uper Puma, fitted with a comprehensive . W package and the AM39 Exocet missile. This aircraft can operate from Jidonesia’s Korean-built tank landing smos as well as from shore; 26 are now
under construction or on order. Six maritime patrol versions of the CN-235 civil transport aircraft are on order and will be equipped for ASW and have Exocets. In addition, the three air force 737-200 Surveyors, two of which are employed on maritime patrols, are to receive a sensor upgrade. In view of the increased numbers of Indonesian Exocets at sea and with an eye to the regional market, Indonesia is discussing the feasibility of licensed production of the missile with Aerospatiale.
The patrol and mine warfare force will be upgraded with the introduction of two Tripartite mine countermeasures ships. These ships are a quantum advance over the old T-43 class and will vastly improve the security of the major Indonesian ports, which are vulnerable to mine attack. One bargain snapped up by the navy was the elderly, but sound. Hydra, a surplus British Hecla-class survey vessel. After a short refit, she left Britain in October and is now operational in Indonesian waters as the Dewa Kembar.
Papua-New Guinea: In October, the Papua-New Guinea and Indonesian governments signed a treaty of friendship, which should minimize border incidents. Both nations are very keen on cordial relations. The Papua-New Guinea Defense Force (PNGDF) is experiencing a period of austerity owing to downturns in both the Australian and local economies. As a result, the PNGDF has been hard-pressed to support its force of fiv- Attack-class patrol boats and two landing craft; of the patrol boats, the Samarai was put into reserve in 1986 and the Ladava will probably follow. The PNGDF has fought hard
As verbal fireworks among ANZUS Treaty members exploded in the background, Sydney hosted 40 ships from seven nations for the naval assembly and review commemorating the Royal Australian Navy’s 75th anniversary, in 1986.
_______________________________________________ __ HMS ILLUSTRIOUS
to maintain the separate facilities at Manus (a prime candidate for closure) and Port Moresby. However, four 31- meter Pacific Forum patrol boats are on order under an Australian defense cooperation program, and these will significantly improve the PGNDF’s ability to conduct its demanding fisheries protection and surveillance missions.
Australia: The Royal Australian Navy (RAN) celebrated its 75th anniversary last year with a very successful naval assembly and review that were the highlights of the international naval calendar. Forty ships from seven nations attended, including the USS Missouri (BB-63) and the aircraft carrier HMS Illustrious. The review generated immense public interest rect military interest” as its primary objective. Emphasizing the need for a light and mobile army and an air force constituted for air defense as well as long-range strike, the review emphasized the capabilities of the RAN’s submarines and the requirement for surface forces for a variety of tasks. The force structure proposed by the author, Paul Dibb, was very much in accord with the RAN’s thinking. Studies are determining the form of the “light patrol frigates” that Dibb proposed to replace the River class and supplement the larger and more sophisticated FFGs by the turn of the century. Dibb highlighted the follow-on submarine project, which has now narrowed down to the Swedish Kockums and West German IKL lack of system commonality is remarkable, will with the new tanker be able to respond independently to security challenges among South Pacific nations. However, severe staff shortages in New Zealand’s sole naval dockyard have resulted in some work being contracted out, and several ships have been forced to operate well past their scheduled refit cycles.
In July, New Zealand conducted its first tri-service exercise, which took place in the Cook Islands. Such events will be conducted annually. With Five Power exercises in Southeast Asia and Australian-New Zealand bilateral exercises, the RNZN appears to be maintaining its operational expertise, but a per-
Press in 1984.
New Zealand’s anti-nuclear stance has forced it to acquire naval capabilities withdrawn by the United States. The 12,300-ton replenishment tanker Endeavor, to be launched in August, will allow the Royal New Zealand Navy’s four Leander-class frigates a measure of independence for open-ocean operations.
in the RAN and was the culmination of a year dedicated to increasing the navy’s profile in Australian society.
The replenishment ship Success entered operational service, and Rushcutter, the first minehunting catamaran, was commissioned in November. There are now 16 of the Australian version of the SH-60B helicopter on order from the United States. These helos will equip the RAN’s Oliver Hazard Perry (FFG-7)- class frigates and allow an adequate reserve for attrition.
Of considerable long-term significance was the publication of the Dibb Defense Capabilities Review commissioned by the government. It concluded that the Australian Defense Force needed to be more self-reliant and look to the defense of what was described as the “area of didesigns, and recommended more emphasis on mine countermeasures ships.
The navy believes the report places undue emphasis on “denial” for the future, when Australia’s interests depend instead on the stability of the region and strong links with the country’s neighbors and treaty partners. These requirements can best be served not by confining naval vessels to littoral waters, but by the active presence of Australian units around the region in times of peace and tension. A Defence White Paper has followed the Dibb Report, and although it was not published by the first of the year, it should settle the path that the RAN will follow for the remainder of the century.
New Zealand: The loss of defense cooperation and exercise opportunities with the U. S. Navy as the result of the New Zealand Government’s moves to prevent nuclear-armed warships from entering its ports, is quickly forcing the Royal New Zealand Navy (RNZN) into a more self-reliant posture. One example is the order for a 12,300-ton replenishment tanker, due for launch from a South Korean yard in August 1987; she is to be named the Endeavour. The RNZN’s four Leander-class frigates, among which the sonnel loss rate approaching 20% Per year will make this increasingly difficult-
Updates to the Royal New Zealand Ah Force’s six Orion maritime patrol aircraft, to be redesignated P-3Ks, will allow greater patrol activity in the region despite a lack of trained crews. The completion of the weapon/navigation system update for New Zealand’s A-4 Skyhawks will provide a vastly improved antishipping capability. However, the RNZN must wait until the 1990s to replace the outdated Wasp helicopters embarked in the frigates.
While the direction of the RNZN awaits the completion of a Defence Re' view, the scale of any re-equipment pr°' gram, even concentrating on larger offshore patrol vessels suitable for NeW Zealand conditions, would need careful implementation to avoid overwhelming the country’s fragile budget.
Lieutenant Jones is serving as Operations Officer o the guided-missile frigate HMAS Canberra. Licutcn ant Goldrick has completed an exchange tour with In Royal Navy as a principal warfare officer in ® guided-missile destroyer HMS Liverpool. Both ot cers have written for Proceedings and other journa s. and Lieutenant Goldrick is author of The King 1 Ships Were at Sea. published by the Naval Institute
70
Proceedings / March