U.S. defence cuts

Press, Volume CXIV, Issue 33452, 6 February 1974, Page 11

U.S. defence cuts

(N.Z.P.A.-Reuter—Copyright) WASHINGTON, February 5. The Pentagon has announced that it will close down virtually all the anti - bomber missile batteries in the United States, and sharply reduce the number of interceptor squadrons. The curtailment of air defence units, the Pentagon says, is tied to the Strategic Arms Limitations Treaty, and the lessened likelihood of an attack by Soviet Union bombers. The Secretary of Defence (Mr James Schlesinger) has; ordered the phasing out of 48 Nike Hercules missile batter- : ies — 21 operated by Regular

Army units and 27 by the, Army National Guard —I between April, 1974. and June, 1975, and a reduction in . the number of Interceptor, squadrons from 27 to 20. ’ leaving a force of 336 air- ) craft. ! The United States will be |[left with only a dozen sur- , face-to-air missile batteries, • including four Nike Hercules units and eight Hawk units, in Florida, to serve for emergencies and for training missions. The Nike Hercules phaseI out will mean a shut-down , of four Army installations,; ,[the principal mission of (which has been air defence . support. ;; About 144 Fl 02 Inter-; i'ceptors from eight Air [National Guard squadrons; •'will be phased out.

The Pentagon says: “This [review recognises the I changes in the continentaldefence mission resulting ■ from the major increases in . the Soviet Union's capability in intercontinental missiles, and the diminishing capabili- ■ ties represented by her manned aircraft. “In future, the United /States will focus on improving operations to provide ! long-range warning of a ; bomber attack, and to improve air space surveillance and control.” The Pentagon has been hastening the development of an airborne warning and con- ' trol system which consists of large, transport-type aircraft [ equipped with highlyadvanced electronic equipment.