Navy Co-operation By Australia, U.S.

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30058, 16 February 1963, Page 11

Navy Co-operation By Australia, U.S.

(N2 J’.A .-Reuter—Copyright)

WASHINGTON, February 15. United States defence chiefs expect to consider broad plans for increased AustralianAmerican naval co-operation in talks here next week with Australia’s Navy Minister (Senator John Gorton).

U.S. sources said today the high-level discussions were also likely to include a review of numerous aspects of naval strategy in the Pacific —a matter of vital interest to Australia.

Senator Gorton is due to arrive in Washington late on Sunday and will open his consultations the following day at a conference with the U.S. Defence Secretary (Mr Robert McNamara).

It was anticipated that additional meetings would be held with Pentagon leaders to develop further the broad questions that the Australian Minister discusses with Mr McNamara.

Destroyer Payment It was stated today that one of the most immediate issues concerning Senator Gorton would be the arrangement of terms of payment for the third new guided-missile destroyer Australia has ordered from the U.S. Navy. Until these terms are arranged. officials made it clear, the United States is not expected to begin calling tenders for construction of the vessel.

Like the two guided-missile destroyers already being built in this country for Australia. the third one will be the Charles F Adams class and will be equipped with Tartar missiles.

Each of the three destroyers will cost 45 million dollars. Australia’s recent decision to increase its naval power with the purchase of the third destroyer from the U.S. as well as four Oberon-class submarines from Britain has been received enthusiastically by American naval experts.

Power As Ally American diplomatic sources also observed today that greater strength at sea would help to increase Australia’s fighting power as an A.N Z.U.S. and S E.A.T.O ally Senator Gorton plans to spend. 18 days in the United States, mainly in the Washington area, before going on to London on March 6 for more discussions.

Apart from his talks in Washington, the Minister will make visits to other points in the United States, including Key West, Florida. Norfolk. Virginia, and the U.S naval academy at Annapolis Between his trips to the naval bases at Key West and Norfolk Senator Gorton also is due to fly back to Bay City. Michigan, where the first two of Australia’s guided-missile destroyers are under construction

The first of the new ships is scheduled for delivery in 1965