alsothedifficulties ofnegotiating effective measures ofdisarmament. I...A/40/535 English P<,~B9 316.Theproliferation ofnuclear weapons atsea,particularlY theaspectof geographical dispersion ofsuchweapons, willgiverisetomounting concern, particularly amongmanynon-nuclear-weapon States whichinbeingStatesparties to theTreaty ontheNon-Proliferation ofNuclear weapons orotherwise havedeclared theirintentions nottoacquire ordevelop nuclear weapons themselves yetfindthat SUChpolicies havenotstemmed thewidening circles ofnuclear-weapon deployments. 317.Rapidtechnological innovation anddevelopment, particularly inmissiles and electronics, havegreatly enhanced thewar-fighting capabilities ofnavies, as described insomedetailinchapterIll.ThenaviesoftheUnitedStates andthe Soviet Unioninthisrespect aremuchmorepowerful thanthenaviesofotherStates andhavethecapacity, notpossessed byothernavies, forprolonged operations in alltheoceansoftheworld. Atthesametime,however, therearemanyasymmetries between thetwonaVies, andbetween thenavalforcesoftheirallies, whichdonot rendermeaningful anyefforts tomakedirectcomparisons. Theseasymmetries include differing concepts ofseapower,different geographical factors, different peacetime andwartime tasks,differing navalcompositions inthenatureofthe vessels andaircraft thatmakeuptherespective fleets, anddifferent policies towards national security within whichtheindividual naviesdischarge their responsibilities. Toanextenttheseasymmetries arealsopresent insomeofthe world's coastal navieswhich, bymeansoftechnological advance, areintheprocess ofacquiring asmallbutpotentability tocarryoutnavalactions closetotheir ownshores. 318.Indischarging itsmandate toassisttheSecretary-General incarrying outa comprehensive study,theGroupofExperts hasendeavoured topresent asurveyof navalstrengths andactivities astheyexistagainst abackcloth ofthemaritime situation asawhole. Navies havetheirlegitimate partstoplayintheexercise byStatesoftheinherent rightofindividual orcollective self-defence. However, thedevelopment ofnavalcapabilities tocarryoutsuchdutieshas,inthe geopolitical circumstances since1945,become acompetitive accumulation and qualitative refinement ofarmswithamomentum ofitsown.Itisthisaspect, as described earlier inthisreport, whichconstitutes thenavalarmsrace.Inturn, thisisitselfpartofthegeneral armsracedescribed bytheGeneral Assembly in theFinalDocument oftheTenthSpecial Session in1978andwhichconsumes unproductively somuchoftheworld's human,financial andmaterial resources. 319.Navalstrength, whichbysomeisseenasanessential guarantor ofthe protection ofvitaleconomic, political orsecurity interests, issometimes seenby othersasasourceofthreattointernational security orameansofpotential intervention orinterference intheinternal affairs ofStates. Thelatter­ perceptions areparticularly trueforStatesthatdonothavestrongnavalforces oftheirown.Inthiscontext, ashasbeendescribed inchapter VI,certain naval practices areconsidered tobeinimical tothemaintenance ofinternational security andtobeincompatible withtherightsofthosewhohaveinterests inthe peaceful usesoftheseaandthepeaceful development andexploitation ofits resources. 320.Inthecontext ofnavalactivities, thesecurity regimeatseaisbasedon threepillars ofinternational law:thegeneral restrictions ontheuseofforce, I...A/40/535 English Page90 customary lawofthesea,andarmscontrol anddisarmament treaties agreed between States. TheentryintoforceoftheConvention ontheLawoftheSeawillgive strongadditional ~upport tothisstructure. Togivefurther support, therulesOn thenon-use offorceshould bestrengthened; existing armsrestrictions should be carefully maintained andnewmeasureS negotiated; andtheearlyentryintoforce andfullimplementation oftheConvention ontheLawoftheSeashould be encouraged. 321.Asthiscentury approaches itsclose,theneedforimproved andmoreeffective internationally accepted oceanmanagement policies willbecomeevermoreapparent. Innowaymustthewidened national responsibilities thatwillbeintroduced bythe entryintoforceoftheConvention ontheLawoftheSeabemisused as justification fortheexpansion andutilization ofnavalforce. Yetwithin a framework ofimproved international security, thereismuchthatmightbedoneby navalshipsandaircraft toassistinthepeaceful usesoftheSeaforthebenefit ofhumanity. Thereisalsomuchthatcouldbedonebytheexperienced maritime Statestoassistinpromoting suchendeavours. 322.Therearethustwobasicobjectives foraction. Thefir.stistheachievement
**Analysis**
The text appears to be discussing the role of navies in the context of international relations, security, and the law of the sea. It touches on topics such as disarmament, arms control, and the peaceful uses of the sea, which suggests a focus on international relations and security. The text also references the Convention on the Law of the Sea, which is a treaty related to the governance of the world's oceans.

**Category**
International relations, Transport and communication