The Navy Vol_37_Part1 (Feb-Mar-Apr, May-June-July 1975)

with the S,Then m n s m a n i a n Imanagementof change^ model 732 processorTodav more than ever thebusiness of managemeni is ihemanagement ol changeINTERDATA Model 7/32Processor >s a megammicompter a powerful newmanagement tool that measures -change as it happens REALTIME and puts the facts alltogether so yog can make thebest decision to control that changeWe back Our INTERDATAhardware with versatile softwaresystems too You can get yourcomputer controlled operationworking quickly, reliably and for alot less than you'd expectIf you re m the business of process jcontrol quality determinationscheduling of resources, inventory Imanagement even pollutioncontrol and energy conservation Jtake a powerful long look atour powerful INTERDATAModel 7/32 ProcessorAn artist's impression of the proposed Patrol Frigate to be built forthe RAN.can be seen in the Japaneseapproach to the Arabs vis-a-vis Israelwhen the oil crisis hit home and inthe policies of the Thai and PhilippineGovernments to United Statesbases in their respective countries.It is not the purpose of this paperto suggest that events over the lastyear or so have produced animmediate threat to Australia. Noris it suggested that it is now possibleto identify some, future threat, lowlevel or otherwise. But it is clear thatin recent times developments inboth the economic and politicalspheres have increased instabilityand tension in the region of strategicinterest to Australia. While it cannotbe said that there is a present identifiablethreat to Australia it should notbe assumed, in the light of presentcircumstances, that there will notbe some kind of threat within 5years. 10 years or some longerperiod.Just some of the events of recenttimes show that there is little reasonto adopt a simple ostrich-like nothreatpolicy.1. The oil crisis which affectedmany of the developing nationsas hard as it did those of theindustrialised world, requiringthem to pay far more for theirfuel, fertilisers etc and which insome cases severely limited theamount they could obtain.2. The Suez Canal will open inJune, 1975. thereby enablingthe Russians to more readilydeploy ships and submarinesinto the Indian Ocean. This willinevitably produce furthernaval competition in the areabetween outside powers. Notonly has the United States beendeploying task forces into thisocean but so also have theFrench. In 1974 for the firsttime the French sent a carrierto the Indian Ocean.. The continuing tension in theMiddle East and the real risk ofanother outbreak of a shootingwar particularly on theSyrian front.. The problems surrounding theimpending independence ofPortuguese East Timor providescope for a real conflict ofinterest (if nothing worse)between the Indonesian governmentand various politicalgroups within the Portuguesecolony and between Indonesiaand Australia.5. The sudden and completecollapse of South Vietnam, thenot so sudden demise of theLon Nol government inCambodia and the probableadvent of a Pathet Lao governmentin Laos with results,particularly in the attitudes ofneighbouring countries, yet tobe ascertained. It is worthnoting just how swift was thechange which overwhelmedIndo-China.The foregoing list is not meant tobe a catalogue of woes but is merelyintended to illustrate that this is anage. and an area, of instability.Events in distant places can haveunpredictable results. A left wingcoup in Portugal can give rise to anindependence movement in Timorwhich will concern those in governmentin Indonesia. The conflict inthe Middle East can produce the oilcrisis and create difficulties forIndia and Japan.Within the Indian Ocean-WesternPacific region those nations withsignificant armed forces havecontinued to expand or re-equipthem.Japan is pursuing her current fiveyear plan which includes two guidedmissile destroyers, three destroyers,six frigates, submarines conventionallypowered but some with theAlbacore hull and numbers ofsmaller vessels.China is continuing herprogramme which involves theproduction of more modern surfaceThe Daring class destroyersmodernised in recent years but should reach the end of their economiclife in the early 1980's.Pag* Four THE NAVY May/June/July, 1979 May/June/July, 1975 THE NAVY Five