Cold Warriors: The Essex Class in the Cold War

And what about Moscow and Beijing, are they happy that they can cause tensions in the region.

The addition of the Tu 16 fleet complimented by Mig 19s means that the balance of power calculus tips dramatically towards the Indonesians forcing several powers to push forward their acquisition programs. Coincidentally it also allows me to create a few 'what if' aircraft model kits over Christmas.

Also, Air Chief Marshall Scherger and Vice Admiral Roy Dowling had complimentary views. For instance Scherger held that the RAAF would be better served by having more lower end aircraft that could operate from the rougher landing strips dotted around the island archipelago and into SE Asia, with the USAF fielding the more advanced capability aircraft. I suspect that viewpoint might shift here given the more advanced warfighting capability from the Indonesians and Dowling was a pretty firm proponent of the Fleet Air Arm having a fast jet capability. Indeed he damn well nearly resigned in protest, when the Menzies government considered axing the FAA in the late 1950s.

The other item that I thought that I would raise is that I was discussing the RAN acquiring an Essex class with a few shipmates and their counter suggestion was HMS Victorious (Illustrious class). You know that would also work to be honest and I might have to include in that one of my own TLs.

Anyway BZ and keep up the good work.

The long term implications to the region are stark, particularly if the Indonesians also acquire a Sverdlov Heavy Cruiser as they did IOTL. If Konfrontasi still occurs ITTL, we might see Soviet trained frogmen attempting to attack the Naval Base at Sembawang in Singapore. That might make a damn fine chapter update .

Agreed about the pickle that the RAAF and the FAA face, given the recent experience with fighting the IJN & the IJA defending the forward approaches will be at the forefront of the mind. There would also be an expansion of fixed SAMs around key points in Northern Australia, so rather then the single battery of Bloodhound missiles there might be more or even introducing American Nike missiles.

BTW hopefully you recognise my handle from our previous conversations at Alternate History about this subject.

If you want to write a scene based in Sarawak, I can share a story that my Grandfather told me about his experiences fighting in the jungle during Konfrontasi. Whereas PNG in this scenario might remain part of Australia for longer then 1975 in this TL, so that the new country can withstand any potential Indonesian aggression. I wonder if this would lead to perhaps NZ basing one of their Infantry Battalions in PNG rather than Singapore as they did historically.

With the Philippines they also have historical claims on northern Indonesia that flow from the Sultanate of Sulu, which would mean that the Southern Philippines could be more important and autonomous ITTL. Perhaps taking away from their insurgency and historical grievances with the Philippines government. Although a communist leaning Indonesia means that the New People's Army is probably better supplied, as are the Communist rebels in Malaysia.

See you've piqued my interest as this area attracts too few TLs IMHO.

Are all TU-16s operated by the Indonesian Air Force ore are the anti-shipping TU-16s operated by the Indonesian Navy
.

The Indonesian Navy aligns closer with the Soviet practice, but considering the developing nature of Indonesia at the time I would have the Air Force operate them. Unless you want interservice politics to raise its ugly head.