S.E.A.T.O. NAVY STRENGTH

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29264, 23 July 1960, Page 14

S.E.A.T.O. NAVY STRENGTH

Could Withstand Submarine Attack

(New Zealand! Press Association) WELLINGTON, July 22. Though “the chips have never been on the table,” S.E.A.T.O. naval forces could be expected to hold any full-scale nuclear submarine attack, the commander-in-chief of the Far East station Vice-Admiral Sir David Luce said today. Advances were being made continually by all nations, but the submarines of one country were never really much ahead of another, he said. Little experience of foreign submarines had been had in southeastern waters, he said. Discussing air power he said that though land-based Communist aircraft might hold superiority in numbers, aircraft carriers had an immense advantage because' they were able to create air superiority in any given area at one time.

Guided missile ships were being brought into commission in Britain, and that could be an indication of policy. All ships in the future would have antisubmarine potentiality. Sir David Luce met the Naval Board and the Minister of Defence (Mr Connolly) today. His consultations during the visit were not concerned with high-level policy, but with current changes in deployment of vessels, and' training. . / He will leave Wellington tomorrow by car and arrive at Auckland on Sunday. On Monday morning he ’ leaves by air for Sydney. r .