BRITAIN'S MOST POWERFUL AIRCRAFT CARRIER, H.M.S. EAGLE, HAS BEGUN PATROL DUTY IN THE STRAITS OF MALACCA, WEST OF MALAYA. THE 50,000 TON CARRIER WAS ORDERED TO THE FAR EAST AT THE NEW YEAR WHEN BRITAIN BEGAN A BUILD-UP OF HER FORCES IN THE FACE OF CONTINUING INDONESIAN CONFRONTATION OF MALAYSIA.

THE EAGLE'S MAIN TASKS TOGETHER WITH OTHER ROYAL NAVY AND COMMONWEALTH NAVAL UNITS IS TO FORM A PROTECTIVE SCREEN AROUND THE MALAYAN MAINLAND IN A BID TO PREVENT LANDINGS BY INFILTRATORS. BUT DESPITE THE PATROLS, THE EAGLE'S AIRCRAFT HAVE TAKEN THE OPPORTUNITY TO SHARPEN-UP ON TAKE-OFFS AND LANDINGS.

HER COMPLEMENT OF AIRCRAFT IS SAID TO NUMBER AROUND 50 AND INCLUDES BUCCANEERS, SEA VIXENS, GANNETS AND WESSEX ANTI-SUBMARINE, SEARCH AND RESCUE HELICOPTERS.

APART FROM HER STRONG AIRBORNE FORCE, SHE IS FITTED WITH CONSIDERABLE DEFENSIVE ARMAMENT. SHE HAS EIGHT 4.5 INCH GUNS MOUNTED ON FOUR TWIN TURRETS, AND SEACAT SURFACE-TO-AIR MISSILES. THIS IS COUPLED TO DATA AUTOMATION EQUIPMENT DESIGNED FOR HITTING HIGH SPEED TARGETS. EAGLE HAS A FAIR TURN OF SPEED HERSELF, AND A FULL-SPEED CAN TOUCH 30 KNOTS.

EAGLE'S CREW -- OFFICERS AND RATINGS -- IS 3,000.