Thesecapabilities, although smallincomparison withthoseoftheSoviet Unionand theUnitedStates. nevertheless formpartoftheworld's stockofnuclear weapons. 73.Finally, over125nations arecapable ofcarrying outalmostsolelycoastal operations although manytoonlyaverysmalldegree. Again.thenaviesvary considerably insizeandfire-power, andnumerical comparison wouldbeoflittle value. Although somewarships andweapons arenotmodern andthetotalnaval capability ofaStatemaybeminor.itmaywellbequitesufficient forthelimited taskssetbynational policy. Inothercases, however, modernshipdesign, together withup-to-date sensors andweapons, provide veryeffective capabilities overarestricted distance. Forexample. highlyaccurate missiles canbeputto seaonsmallandinexpensive shipsandthereby canconstitute asignificant naval forceinalimited engagement. Despite increasing facilities forindigenous production invarious partsoftheworld, mostofthesenavies, particularly those ofdeveloping countries. areoftendependent onarmssuppliers abroadforshipsand muchnavalequipment aswellasfortraining assistance. D.Transfers ofnavalarmS 74.Therearemanyreasons forStatestoconsider itnecessary tohavesomeform ofnavalforce. Thecomposition oftheforce,itssize,thenumbers ofvessels and othercomponents andthecapabilities ofitsweaponsystems varyaccording tothe taskSitmaybecalled upontoperform. However. forotherthancomparatively simplewarships. thelargemajority ofnations oftenhavetoseekshipbuilding and weapons expertise elsewhere. Thereistherefore athriving international marketin thetransfer ofnavalarms. 75.Themajorfactors involved inthesupply anddemandofconventional weapons weredescribed intheUnitedNations studyonallaspects oftheconventional arms rac@andondisarmament relating t9conventional weapons andarmedforces, presented totheGeneral Assembly in1984.141Onthesupplyside,thefactors rangefromthecontinuous escalation ofthe-arms raceandthemilitary buildup by themajorPowers, through attempts toexertpolitical influence orensurethe supplyofrawmaterials, tostraightforward commercial profitorimprovement inthe supplier's balance-of-payments situation. Armstransfers arealsousedtohelp I...A/40/535 English Page26 supplier nations finance theresearch anddevelopment andsubsequent production of arms. Onthedemandside,thefactors include therequirement tosatisfy legitimate needsforself-defence orotherresponsibilities, theacquisition of military capability, theambition forlocalorregional superiority and-ona broader level-thecontinuing uncertainty incertain regions aboutthefutureof regional andinternational stability. 76.Therearealsotransfers arising fromarrangements withinalliances orfor military co-operation suchasgifts,offsets, co-production, standardization, technical co-operation andthetransfer oftechnology. Withinthecontext ofnaval armstransfers, itisalsoimportant tobearinmindthecauses andconsequences of thetransfers themselves andoftheassociated technology. Inthenational production ofarmSinsomedeveloping countries, oneoftheresults isanincrease injointarmsindustries manufacturing armsorcomponents underlicence. 77.Therangeandvalueofthetransfers ofnavalarmsaredifficult toassesS withaccuracy partlybecause information isincomplete duetothesensitivity of manyStates onsuchmatters; partlybecause announced intentions ofsale,purchase ortransfer arenotnecessarily carried through toconclusion; andpartly because thebasisforcalculating valueinaworldofvariable exchange ratesishighly unreliable. Forthesereasons, thefollowing statistics should beregarded with caution; theyserveonlytoillustrate general trends. Inthefirstplaceitis usefultonotetheincrease inthenumbers ofpotential recipients. Theindexof thepublication Jane'sFighting Ships,aninternationally recognized andrespected sourceofnavalinformation, listed 67naviesintheperiod 1958-1959, 91in 1966-1967, 135in1976-1977 and143in1984-1985. MostOfthisincrease reflects theemergence ofnewlyindependent States. 78.According totheUnitedStates ArmsControl andDisarmament Agency, thenumber ofarmsdelivered todeveloping countries, cumulative 1978-1982 byselected supplier andmajorweapontypewasasfollows: I...A/40/535 English Page27 Table1.Navalarmsdeliveries todeveloping recipients,
**Analysis**
This text appears to be discussing the global distribution and transfer of naval arms, including the capabilities of different navies, the reasons for having a naval force, and the factors involved in the supply and demand of conventional weapons. It also touches on the topic of arms transfers and the impact on national production of arms in developing countries. The text is heavily focused on military and security-related issues.

**Category**
Industry, International trade