NATO sources today reported that the Soviet Navy has moved the bulk of its warships out of the Mediterranean in recent weeks. The fleet has been reduced from an unprecedented strength of 55 to 60 combat units to what was described as a mere “token” presence of 10-12 combat vessels in the area. Some submarines have been left in the Mediterranean along with 10 to 14 supply ships which would permit the Soviets to rapidly reassemble their Mediterranean fleet if necessary.
Sources here expressed “surprise” at the move. Western defense experts said the Russians were probably pulling their warships back to base for the winter, as they did last year at about this time. But it was thought that the vessels might be assigned to other areas, possibly the Far East.
The rapid Soviet naval build-up in the Mediterranean last spring and summer alarmed NATO. It represented the largest concentration of Russian sea power in the Mediterranean in history.
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