Russian Warships For Indonesia

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30534, 1 September 1964, Page 6

Russian Warships For Indonesia

(N.Z. Press Association—Copyright)

LONDON, Aug. 31. The Indonesian Navy expects to receive major reinforcements from Russia, said the "Sunday Telegraph” naval correspondent. Indonesia was awaiting delivery of a second heavy cruiser, probably armed with missiles, three destroyers, two frigates, eight conventional submarines, and 23 miscellaneous vessels. The cruiser would be more modern than the one which was transferred to Indonesia by Russia two years ago, the correspondent said; The destroyers were of the

2600-ton Skoryi class, of which Indonesia had five already, including four bought from Poland. Transfer of the two frigates had been known in Western circles for some time. The increase in the submarine fleet—from six to 14— would give Indonesia the third largest submarine fleet in the Far East, after Russia and China. The correspondent said Indonesia already had 53 motor torpedo boats and gunboats, and was getting another 18 from Russia. The presence of these fast craft in the Far East was causing concern among senior British Naval officers. The British Navy was hoping to commission from reserve, or to build, fast patrol boats for training crews of larger warships to deal with such high speed craft.

The acquisition of these ships by Indonesia would give her a navy of 163 warships, and miscellaneous vessels, of which 118 had been transferred from the Communist Bloc.