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ANNEX A to DP 9/68(C)
(Directors' Draft)
Continued
and
consideration be given to the provision of a permanent presence
of fighter aircraft in Hong Kong as part of the mersures giving
visible evidence of HM Government's intention to maintain its
position in the colony. The Governor recognises that, in
practice, defending fighter aircraft would have little or no
chance of carrying out interceptions in the colony's air space.
However, in his view fighter aircraft would deter incursions,
their absence might be interpreted as a weakening of United
Kingdom resolution. We see no military justification for station-
ing fighter aircraft permanently in Hong Kong and consider that
the Governor's request could be met by the undertaking to deploy
high performance Phantom aircraft from our general capability should
the military necessity arise. However, should the political
arguements be overriding and the costs borne from outside Defence
Votes, the Air Force could provide
a self-contained unit of four Hunter Aircraft together
with a Hunter trainer after the Squadron in Singapore is
withdrawn. This force could be sustained until about 1975, by which
time the position would have to be reviewed. In any event there
will be a continuing need for the signal and radar facilities.
32. Royal Air Force Regiment. As a result of the withdrawal of
our forces from Malaysia and Singapore it will no longer be possible
to deploy Royal Air Force Regiment reinforcement from within the
theatre. With the permanent stationing of Royal Air Force
aircraft in Hong Kong, we see the continuing need for the deploy-
ment of elements of a a Royal Air Force Regiment squadron to
provide for the protection of Royal Air Force installations at
Kai Tak and the radar and signals unit at Tai Mo Shan.
33.
Staging Post Facilities. Whilst the requirement to reinforce
the garrison remains and units are deployed by air, there will be
a continuing need for the present staging facilities in Hong Kong.
A
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