(and changing identity to the RNZN "Black Swan" according to some accounts) but continuing to assist the in its primary air warning and communications role. Holland had officially ordered a withdrawal from operations but allowed the cruiser to stay with the Operation Musketeer fleet. In a lengthy meeting the NZ cabinet had "decided not to decide" and while NZ did not want to embarrass Britain by withdrawing Royalist "there was insufficient time for a decision not to withdraw". Much of the Czechoslovakia-supplied Ilyushin-IL28 and MiG 15/17 of the Egyptian Air Force remained a threat to the RN fleet and Royalist was crucial to fleet defence. The reality of the pro-Musketeer sentiments of the RNZN/RN crew in which most of the key officer and senior rating positions were RN officers and many of the RNZN officers were also essentially professional RN career officers on the return voyage to New Zealand via South Africa. Captain Phipps told the crew they deserved the recognition given to RN personnel for their involvement in the incident. In the 2000s the New Zealand Labour Government and the RNZN awarded these personnel battle honours for war service in the Mediterranean. The cruiser's log for the crucial days of the Suez War was destroyed at the time meaning the full account of her Suez service will never be known. Malaya In early 1957 Royalist was involved in exercises with the Australian aircraft carrier HMAS Melbourne. The cruiser made two shore bombardment missions in 1957–1958 during the Malayan Emergency against suspected terrorist areas in south east Johore, firing about 240 5.25-inch rounds. In AA exercises with the British Far East Fleet in 1956–57, Royalist outperformed the (pre-war) RN s, shooting down five Gloster Meteor unmanned targets and many towed targets immediately on opening fire. In 1960 Royalist had a major five-month refit. It was expected the cruiser would only serve another two and a half years; the New Zealand navy board was seeking loan of a third Whitby-class frigate (Type 12) from the Royal Navy However the RN was only just introducing and trialling the improved (Type 12M) frigates and was short of effective frigates and cruisers. In February 1964 after was lost after it collided with the aircraft carrier Melbourne, the UK offered Australia the Daring-class destroyers, (available immediately) and then in mid-life refit with new MRS3 fire control.Defender was available to replace Royalist from February 1965. In