IMMENSE AIR FORCE.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLVIII, Issue 45, 20 January 1928, Page 7

IMMENSE AIR FORCE.

FOUR TIMES AS' GREAT AS BRITAIN’S.

RECOMMENDED FOR UNITED STATES.

NEW YORK, Jan. 18. A United Press Washington message states that according to advices from the Navy Department Congress will be asked to appropriate funds to purchase a minimum of 300 new aeroplanes if the five-year construction programme is adopted. This would more than double the present aircraft strength of America’s battle fleet. In addition, if Congress approves the programme,' the navy personnel will have to be increased by approximately 30,000 men, or one-third of the present strength. The necessity for the great increase in aeroplanes and men is explained by a high naval official. On the basis of the recommendations, made by Mr Wilbur, the ships, ’planes and men needed for the programme are as follow : Twenty-five cruisers, with and additional 10,750 men, and 100 ’planes; 32 submarines, and 2528 men; five aircraft carriers, with 8000 men and 200 ’planes; nine destroyer leaders, with 2700 men and nine ’planes. If the additional ’planes are authorised, the United States will have a naval fighting ’plane strength four times as great as either Britain and Japan or France and Italy. No mention of the ’planes and personnel has been made yet at the hearing by the Naval Affairs Committee. Naval officers estimate the approximate total cost of the additional ’planes at 5,400.000 dollars, basing the figure on an individual cost of 18,000 dollars.

It is said that the Navy Department does not contemplate any increase in lighter than air craft.—A. and N.Z. cable.