a maintenance nightmare withdrawn from the RN in 1959–60. The 5.25-inch DP guns, which were also fitted to Vanguard and at Gibraltar were accurate unlike the 4-inch AA on the Colony class. Royalists modernisation for AA/AW and particularly air defence support of RN carrier fighters and strike aircraft would prove useful for Suez, the Malaysian Emergency and the confrontation with Indonesia. Royalist could escort convoys across the whole distance at a speed of , compared with the Type 12's ability to make the long leg from Suva to Honolulu at 10/15. It was arguable that the traditional cruiser role in trade defence against Soviet cruisers and raiders was relevant, as was contributing effective AW/AD to RN/ RAN carrier task forces. After refitting, Royalist was re-equipped with new equipment as an AA and AD picket for carriers. The cruiser retained 5.25-inch guns, upgraded to RP20 as more powerful high level AA and surface weapons. The refit was to prepare it for all-out hot wars and high-level gun engagement of shadowers. Except for Royalist, this modernisation was cancelled in 1953 on cost grounds. Defence review and RAF assessments that the Sverdlov and Russian air threat in the 1955–58 period was exaggerated. The RAF estimated 300 Badger jet bombers in 1956 - the actual number was 500. The delay in the cruiser programme meant most war legacy cruisers had reached 12 years in service, doubling the cost of structural modernisation and reducing the programme. Only Royalists update and a ten-year life extension of HMS Ceylon was approved in 1953. In transferring Royalist to New Zealand, the Royal Navy assumed the RNZN as an extension of the RN and the junior New Zealand service and government followed British command. Around 25% of the officers on Royalist were RN officers on loan or exchange, as were many of the specialist ratings. The RNZN officers on the cruiser were usually of junior experience and had lengthy training with the RN in the UK. Even on the cruiser's final deployment in 1965 on Confrontation patrols in southeast Asia, many RN and RAN officers occupied higher-ranking officer positions on board. Royal New Zealand Navy career Suez After working up in UK waters, Royalist was operational with the British fleet in the Mediterranean. From August 1956, NZ Prime Minister Sidney Holland was persuaded by Anthony Eden to maintain Royalist on station in the Mediterranean as an invaluable, 'strategic deployment'