The 1960s

Part 2: The Threats

Presentation given to the House of Commons on July 9th, 1963 by Vide-Admiral H.S. Rayner, Chief of Naval Staff.

Part 1 Introduction Part 2 Threats Part 3 Role and Purpose of the RCN Part 4 The RCN Today Part 5 Submarines Part 6 Aircraft Part 7 Afloat Logistic Support Part 8 Future Vessels Part 9 Organization and Budget Part 10 Conclusion

The Soviets

To view the RCN requirements in perspective, it is essential to have a good understanding of the maritime threat which has to be countered.

I will review this briefly for you under three main aspects any of which could affect possible RCN operations and, therefore, the forces we should have. These are:

1. Soviet submarine force—the dominant maritime threat,
2. Soviet long range aviation as a maritime threat; and
3. Soviet fishing fleet activities in the Western Atlantic.

Soviet Submarine Force

Russia has and is continuing to build and modernize the largest submarine fleet the world has ever seen.

It —

(a) Missile attack,
(b) Torpedo attack,
(c) Mine laying.

This fleet is estimated to include over 400 submarines of which over 20 are nuclear-powered. It is anticipated that as the numbers of nuclear boats increase, the numbers of conventional submarines will decrease over the next few years. Also it follows that increased numbers of nuclear submarines will greatly increase the power of the Russian submarine force.

Soviet Long-Range Air Threat

On Tuesday, June 4, 1963, six Russian jet bombers flew a reconnaissance mission over a USN task force northeast of Japan. This is an example of Russian longrange aircraft being employed on distant overseas reconnaissance. These forays have taken place far out into the Atlantic as well as in the Pacific, thus demonstrating that these aircraft have the range and capability of operating over the greater part of these oceans. Such aircraft are equipped with stand-off weapons which could be used against any maritime forces.

Soviet Fishing Fleet

Russia operates a very large and well-disciplined fishing fleet off the East Coast of Canada. In 1962 there were about 550 trawlers and supply vessels at the peak of the fishing season. The numbers have varied from year to year and during the course of the year. The presence of a force of this size, in modern well found ships, must be considered a potential menace in time of crisis or hostilities.

Furthermore, some of these vessels are well equipped for the support or cover of a number of activities of a military nature. Their very physical presence would greatly hinder anti-submarine operations.

Overall Threat

Those then are the main aspects of the maritime threat against which the Canadian naval plans and programs should be viewed.

In recent years there has been much evidence that the Soviet Union has become keenly aware of the maritime nature of global geography. Historically content to think and act primarily as a land power, within the confines of Europe and Asia, Russia today is reaching out over the oceans. It is abundantly clear that the USSR has recognized the economic and political importance of the oceans.

You will recall that last year the Soviet Union attempted to establish a missile base in Cuba. However, before her preparations could be completed, a naval quarantine was imposed by the United States. Russian ships, laden with strategic weapons and materials, were forced to alter course and not proceed to their destination. Once again it was clearly shown that prior to establishing a military base overseas, it is essential to be assured of the unrestricted use of the seas.

The Soviets have also been concentrating on their merchant marine which in the last decade has doubled in tonnage and now totals 4,000,000 tons. There are indications that they plan to triple this tonnage by 1967. Their efforts in oceanographic research have accelerated in an ever widening geographic coverage. Three of their ships were in Halifax in late April to replenish prior to returning to their work in the Gulf Stream a few hundred miles south of Nova Scotia.

To give you a general idea of the comparison between the water and land masses which cover the earth, it is of interest to note that the high seas cover approximately 140 million square miles in contrast to about 52 million square miles occupied by land areas and inland waters. In other words, 70 per cent of the earth’s surface is water.

Plying the trade routes of the world on any given day, there are about 18,000 ships of over 1,000 tons at sea, while another 11.000 are in harbours around the world. During 1962, 141,183 vessels engaged in international or coastwise shipping arrived at Canadian ports and loaded or unloaded approximately 102 million tons of international cargo.

We live close to the sea because the sea is important to us—for food, for commerce and transportation.

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