Feb-Mar-Apr, May-June-July 1972 - Navy League of Australia

NAUTICAL
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EAST GERMANY
Modernisation of Minesweeper
Fleet
An extensive modernisation
programme for the Volksmarine
(East German Navy) minesweeper
force is presently underway.
Because of serious damage to
machinery and hulls, the minesweeping
groups of the zonal navy
have not been in readiness for the
past few years to carry out their
tasks. Most units are 16 to 18 years
old. From 1952. 12 ships were built
for high seas minesweeping service
(modified Habicht ships of 500- to
650-ton displacements). These
were equipped for duty as minelayers.
Fifty Schwalbe-class ships
carry out coastal minesweeping
duties. The 50-ton ships, however,
are considered unsuitable for this
type of work.
The new ships are of the 280-ton
Kondor class, which is similar to the
Federal German Navy's Schutze
class. They have been developed
with a closed bridge and will be 153
feet long and will have two diesel
engines of 2.000 h p. each. They will
be equipped with 25mm. antiaircraft
guns. and. later, radarcontrolled
4-inch, ,30-calibre guns
will be installed.
JAPAN
Japan s largest — the Uzushio — a
conventionally powered. 1.850-ton
submarine of the Japanese Maritime
Self-Defence Force, is the first
of a new class and the largest of the
postwar era.
Shaped with a "teardrop" hull, she
is 236 feet long, has a 32-foot beam,
a speed of 20 knots and a crew of 68
officers and sailors.
RUSSIA'S NEW INFLUENCE
WITH JAPAN
While the world has watched the
recent thaw in relations between
China and America, the Soviet Union
and Japan have quietly been
improving their own ties.
Russia is using the vast mineralladen
expanse of Siberia to entice
Japanese industry. And Japan has
shown considerable interest in this
new source of raw materials,
especially now that she finds herself
becoming isolated by Washington
and continually harassed by
Chinese accusations of "reviving
militarism".
Plans for increased co-operation
with Russia in exploiting Siberian
natural gas and oil have been
announced. The Soviets, in addition,
would like Japan to build an oil pipeline
from Irkutsk to the eastern port
of Nakhodka, but Tokyo has not yet
responded to this proposal.
Japan, which has to import almost
all her vital resource needs, has long
eyed Siberia's extensive wealth. But
Russia had been stalling Japan's
economic desires in Siberia for a
number of years. World conditions
continue to change, however, and so
does Soviet foreign policy. Russia
has been watching the U.S. warm up
to the Kremlin's dreaded neighbour.
China. The thought of a Sino-
American non-aggression pact sends
chills down the backs of Kremlin
leaders.
Moscow, furthermore has
anxiously been watching the growing
rift in U.S.-Japanese relations. The
Soviet press is taking all oppor
tunities to attack the U.S. and China
as being anti-Japanese. It appears
that as Washington's influence continues
to decline in Tokyo, the
Kremlins influence will improve
somewhat.
GREECE
Purchase of U.S. Destroyer
The veteran destroyer U.S.S. Frank
Knox (DD-742) has a new name and
a new flag, but the Greek ambassador
says ". she will sail with U.S.
ships in the cause of peace'
Basil G. Vitsaxis. Ambassador of
Greece to the United States,
accepted the 2.500 ton vessel on
behalf of his government from Rear
U.S.S. Frank Knox of the Gearing class. Photograph taken in 1945 showing two torpedo tube
mounts.
P*f.TMrty-4ght THE NAVY F.bruary/MirctVAprM, 1S72