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otherwise fully engaged.
As an alternative, they suggested
that the strength of Whirlwind helicopters in Hong Kong should
be increased from six to nine or ten in March 1970 when three
or four will, in any event, become available from the Far
Eastern Air Force. They also pointed out that the adoption
of this proposal would involve additional annual costs of
the order of £200,000 plus any works costs that might be
identified. The Ministry added that this additional cost
would probably have to be borne on defence votes, at least
until March 1971, when the present defence contribution
agreement with the Hong Kong Government expires. Commander-
in-Chief, Far East, s accordingly sought formal approval
from the Ministry of Defence for the redeployment to Hong
Kong in March 1970 of the four helicopters in question.
matter has been referred to the Chiefs of Staff who eensider ––
that in present circumstances in Hong Kong it would be diffi-
cult to justify the additional helicopters as an essential and
immediate requirement. They have accordingly stated that the
The
have expressed the
operational case for the additional helicopters will need to
can
be strengthened before the matter could be submitted to the
Defence
ド
Secretary of State (the Ministry of Defence have made it clear
that in view of the additional annual costs involved in operat-
ing the four extra helicopters, the proposal will in any event
require Ministerial approval).
The Governor strongly supported the Commander-in-Chief,
Far East,'s original recommendation that the force of six
Whirlwinds should be replaced by six Wessex helicopters.
It
is assumed that he likewise supports the alternative of increas-
ing the number of Whirlwinds, although we have received no
communication from him on the subject.
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