dangerous element intonavaloperations. Although theseweapons areinthehands offivenations, theynevertheless cancarrygraveimplications forthesecurity of all.Thenatureofthestrategic nuclear deployments bythenaviesof nuclear-weapon Stateswillbediscussed laterinthereport. /...A/40/535 English Page24 C.Levelsofnavies 69.Theworld's naviesareofdiffering sizes,strengths andcompositions, reflecting thedifferent strategies, responsibilities andeconomic strengths Of States. Forthepurposes ofthisstudy,itisconvenient toconsider naviestobe atthreelevels: (a)World-wide navies, thosethatcanbe,andoftenare,deployed inmost oceansoftheglobeonacontinuous basis. Suchoperations necessitate reliable accesstoOverseas basesandfriendly portfacilities, astronglogistic support system andsufficient numbers ofwarships tobeabletomaintain apresence far fromhomenotwithstanding theneedforregular periods off-task formaintenance, repair,refitandmodernization. Atpresent onlytwoStatespossess suchnavies: theUnitedStates andtheSovietUnionl Cb)"Blue-water" navies, thosethatarenormally deployed inwaters surrounding theStateconcerned, although oftenouttoasignificant distance from shore,andWhichalsopossess thecapacity toconduct occasional deployments and limited operations inforcedistant frombasesathome.Thereareperhaps some15 naviesthatmaybeconsidered tobeatthislevel. (c)Coastal navies, thosethatarealmostexclusively deployed inwaters immediately adjacent toanation's landterritory executing traditional navaltasks suchasmaritime self-defence, protection ofsovereign interests interritorial waters, protection ofnational economic interests inoffshore waters, maritime policing andcounter-smuggling duties, localsearch andrescueetc.Suchnavies mayundertake onlyoccasional deployments further afield andthenusually insmall numbers forcourtesy visits. Mostnaviesareatthislevel,although thereexists awiderangeofcapabilities. 70.Anumerical comparison between thenaviesoftheSoviet UnionandtheUnited States hasonlylimited useaseachStatehasitsOWnhistorical background and geopolitical situation whichhavegivenrisetodifferent maritime strategies. The UnitedStatesisbordered bytwooceans andhasextensive coastlines Which,forthe mostpart,areice-free andpermitaccesstotheopenseaatalltimesofthe year. TheSoviet Union, ontheotherhand,hasaverylargelandareawith restricted accesstotheoceans, andmuchofitscoastline issubject tosevereice conditions eachyear.Historically, theUnitedStates hasbeenasignificant naval powerformanyyearswhereas theSovietunionhasdeveloped long-range naval capabilities comparatively recently, although theSoviet Navyhasbeennumerically largeformuchlonger. Bothcountries, likemanyothers, havesignificant interest inmaintaining theprinciple ofthefreedom ofthehighseasandtherightof innocent passage throughterritorial waters. 71.Thedevelopment ofmassive sea-borne strategic nuclear forces byeachState, andtheactivities whichthatdevelopment hasinvolVed inthesenseofeach countering theperceived threats Oftheother, havehadaconsiderable influence on thecomposition andmodeofoperation oftheirforces. Again, however, thereare significant asymmetries whichrendernumerical comparisons ofdoubtful value. In addition totheirstrategic nuclear missions, bothnaViesaredeployed ona I...A/40/535 English Page25 world-wide basisandhaveapotentcapacity forgeneral operations farfromtheir homewaters. Itistheirability toconduct astrategic nuclear exchange, the possibility ofconflict atseaincluding theuseoftactical nuclear weapons and theircapacity forintervention abroadthatcauseconcern onthepartofmanyother States. 72.The"blue-water" naviesvaryconsiderably insize,asdotheStates themselves, andinmilitary capability. SomeoftheStatesconcerned stillhave territorial responsibilities indistant partsoftheworldorarrangements with friendly States whichinvolve navalmanoeuvres andexercises fromtimetotime.In anumberofcasestheStates dependheaVily onsea-borne tradeandopensealines ofcommunication whichtheywouldseektodefendintimeofwarinorderto survive. ThreeStates (China. France andtheUnited Kingdom) possess maritime strategic nuclear forcesand,presumably. alsoatactical nuclear weaponcapacity.
**Analysis**
The text appears to be discussing naval operations, strategic nuclear deployments, and the capabilities of navies around the world. It highlights the differences in naval power between countries, including the United States and the Soviet Union, and mentions the importance of maintaining freedom of the high seas and the right of innocent passage. The text also touches on the concept of "blue-water" navies and coastal navies, and notes that some countries have maritime strategic nuclear forces. Given the focus on naval operations and international relations, it seems likely that the text falls under the category of international relations.

**Category**
Transport and communication, International relations