Q.A5 HAVE THE BRITISH DEFENCE PLANS FOR THE REGION BEEN AFFECTED OR
GUIDED BY THE SOVIET NAVAL BUILD-UP IN THE INDIAN OCEAN?
I think we should have the recent Soviet Naval expansion
very much in mind when considering what we should do in a
number of' areas of the world. Soviet Naval power in the
Mediterranean for example has markedly increased in the last
four or five years. In the Indian Ocean, there were no Soviet
Naval forces at all as recently as 1965. This year there have
been as many as seven surface warships at least four submarines and
nine auxiliaries. And there are other indications of the Soviet
Union's interest in the Indian Ocean area such as the renovation
by the Russians of the old British air strip on the island of
Socatra.
ني
:
The primary aim of the Soviet Union is no doubt to extend
their political influence. But we have to take into account the
capability in military terms which these deployments afford them.
Naturally, what happens in the Indian Ocean itself could
be affected by events in neighbouring areas. In the Middle East
for example, events could lead to the re-opening of the Suez
canal and this would have important consequences in the
Indian Ocean. At the opposite end of the Indian Ocean, in
Malaysia and Singapore, the Five Power Defence, arrangements are
a demonstration by the Commonwealth Countries concerned of their
interest in the stability of this important area which is one of
the entrances to the Indian Ocean. And perhaps I could mention
at this point that the decision of the Australian Government to
develop Cockburn Sound in Western Australia is welcome and we are
most grateful for their offer to us to make use of it.