Value Of Rocket Bases To The West

Press, Volume XCVII, Issue 28512, 15 February 1958, Page 17

Value Of Rocket Bases To The West

(N.Z. Press Association—Copyright)

(Rec. 830 p.m.) LONDON, February 13. The over-all military superiority of the West is likely to increase, in spite of Russia’s rocket developments.

■ A Government White Paper on defence said that from sites in Europe and elsewhere, medium range rockets could dominate every important target in the Soviet Union and the Russians would have no such advantage. 1

A Soviet statement made immediately after the release of the White Paper said it contained “unveiled threats” against Russia.

The Soviet news agency Tass said:—“The authors of the White Paper declare that in the event of an armed cbnflict, the Western Powers would make use of the strategic nuclear weapons even if the Soviet Union used only conventional armed forces.”

Britain officially announced in the White Paper that she was developing a new-type ballistic rocket. At the same time she disputed Russia’s claim to be already armed with a missile capable of being accurately aimed at any point in the world. The annual defence report stated that the highest priority, in co-operation with the United States, was being given to the new rocket. It could be launched from underground and would be more advanced than existing missiles.

On Russia’s intercontinental ballistic / missile claims, the report stated: “It will still take her several years to complete the development of an accurate intercontinental rocket and produce it in sufficient numbers.” Even then there could be no certainty that an attack with it on the United States would sue? ceed.

The report, prepared by the Minister of Defence (Mr Duncan Sandys) stated that the advent of medium-range ballistic rockets would increase the superiority of the West. “The possession by Russia of rockets of equal range Will not, for reasons of geography, afford her any corresponding strategic advantage.” Authoritative sources said that the British ballistic missile being developed for firing from underground was of intermediate (1500 miles) range. Development of these intermediate range missiles was likely to proceed parallel with the more conventional bomber for several more years. The West still relied for a deterrent mainly on strategic nuclear weapons, but was giving attention, also, to tactical weapons of shorter and more localised range, the sources said.

There was no J reason to believe that the Soviet Union had achieved an inter-continental missile, which 'could land anywhere near its target. Re-entry into the atmosphere was a major problem, and it was not clear that Russia had solved it. Mr Sandys said later that Britain was working on the difficult problem of producing an antimissile missile. This was being done in collaboration with the United States Government. DEFENCES IN PACIFIC Force Based On Singapore (Rec. 8 p.m.) LONDON, Feb. 14. The British Government’s Defence Report to Parliament yesterday said it proposed to maintain a balanced all-purpose naval force based at Singapore. This would allow Britain to discharge her obligations to S.E.A.T.O. and the Bagdad Pact alliance and fulfil independent military commitments in the area east of Suez, “The Times” reported today. “The Times” said the Pacific Fleet based at Singapore would include an aircraft carrier converted to accommodate a Royal Marine Commando Force.

The “Daily Telegraph” said today the Singapore-based fleet would consist of two carriers, one cruiser, some destroyers, frigates and other small craft. The commando carrier would be able to carry 600 to 900 commandos and helicopters for troop-carrying and anti-submarine work. Ships of this fleet would operate singly or in groups and sometimes combine for training, the “Daily Telegraph” naval correapondent Mid.