Pacific force funded by Japan suggested

Press, 19 May 1989, Page 34

Pacific force funded by Japan suggested

By

TONY VERDON

in London

A carrier-based Pacific force to help during disasters and provide offshore support during conflict has been suggested by the international defence magazine “Jane’s Defence Weekly.” Japan could provide the basic funds for the force, which other Pacific nations could join, said the magazine. This would help overcome the financial burden such a force would impose on modest Pacific defence budgets. “The capital cost would be expensive but the ships would provide work for Japanese shipyards and, when in service, supplement relief work in areas where currently the only assistance is by air,” the magazine said in a lengthy article on selfreliance for the Pacific Rim. It said both the United States and the Soviet Union had made it clear they expected friends and allies to increase their own defence spending. “The effect on many nations — particularly those in the Pacific region — could be considerable.” Until recently many States had been given modern equipment either by grant or soft loan, but the magazine warned that if they were now to fund defence themselves, there was every possibility of equipment being downgraded.

The magazine said that although the transfer of Hong Kong sovereignty to China had been settled, other countries had to consider whether this was only an easy start for further territorial ambitions emanating from China.

“Vietnam, Kampuchea, Laos and North Korea feel they have been left out on a limb by the Soviets, although the spread of the Marxist doctrine across neighbouring borders is likely to be stepped up,” said the magazine.

Like Taiwan, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore and Burma would not notice much change in their need for robust self-defence. The sheer size of Indonesia and the enormous archipelago which comprised the Philippines both imposed a considerable defence burden on the Governments in terms of internal security.

North and South Korea at times looked like seeking some rapprochement but meanwhile required a serious defensive deterrent. At the southern end of the Pacific, Australia and New Zealand both appeared to have adopted isolationist policies. “Australia is certainly interested in what is happening in the immediately neighbouring Pacific islands and retains a token force in Singapore, but New Zealand withdraws later this year and is generally reducing its defence commitments,” said the magazine. * "Increasing defence budgets will present a real struggle for many of the Pacific rim countries if the threat supposedly remains at the same level and the major suppliers of money and equipment reduce their support.” Japan, with its economic dominance, was being called on to provide greater financial assistance in the area’s defence whatever restrictions there had been

in the past. To a limited extent this trend had already started, with a 5.9 per cent increase in the latest Japanese defence budget. While this represented just over 1 per cent of GNP and 6.5 per cent of Government expenditure, it was small compared to 3.5 per cent of GNP and well over 10 per cent of Government expenditure on defence in countries such as Britain, France and West Germany.

The magazine said the extra expenditure in Japan was for existing aircraft programmes and did not take account of any support to neighbouring countries.

While New Zealand and Australia had growing economies, they were still struggling with inflation, it said. “Furthermore, for New Zealand in particular, with a population of 3.3 million, defence is a substantial burden.”

The magazine said rationalisation of facilities and better cohesion between Pacific countries would reduce over-all costs.

To improve Western efficiency, initial attempts should be made to rationalise equipment and training facilities, although the magazine acknowledged this presented a formidable task bearing in mind the time N.A.T.O. forces had taken to achieve any degree of integration. “Australia and New Zealand, for example, are endeavouring to integrate certain flying training facilities but even this is apparently difficult to achieve, although at- the maritime reconnaissance level there is progress.”

The magazine said a case could be made for a carrierbased Pacific force to help during disasters and to provide offshore support during conflict. “Equipment could include landing craft, armoured vehicles and helicopters and should be capable of embarking heavier equipment and aircraft. “At present the only carriers in the Pacific are the U.S. and Soviet navies on routine exercises, but they are not dedicated to the theatre and are not equipped specifically for a civil relief role.”

The magazine said the force could be based on the N.A.T.O. squadron concept, whereby the unit was staffed by member nations or a nucleus of them. If there was real intent that Japan should increase its defence contribution, it could provide the baseload for other members to join.

"There are, of course, other approaches to common equipment and combined forces, but the essential task is for the nations to become more efficient in their defence expenditure.” With an increasing number of inhabitants of Pacific rim countries not having experienced suppression, it was too easy for politicians to save money on defence to spend on other more politically attractive budget needs.

The magazine said the task therefore was to maintain defence spending at a safe level, but to try to secure some return on the investment in peace time rather than consider the whole cost a defence expenditure.