SEOP SECRET
15.
Fighters
a. In 1968 the Governor asked for a permanent fighter force
to be stationed on Hong Kong from March 1970. But this requirement was to meet purely local polotical considerations
and none of the costs involved could be accepted as a charge
to Defence Votes. The Hong Kong Government were unwilling to
accept the financial burden so the proposal was shelved.
b. A compromise solution has now been found that provides for
RAP fighters to visit the Colony when detachments are in the
Far East on training. These visits by detachments of hantoms, Buccaneers, Nimrods and Carbervas would mean the presence
of RAF aircraft in the Colony for perhaps 20 days in a year.
16. Helicopters. Four extra Whirlwinds have recently been deployed
to Hong Kong bringing the colony's total up to ten. Thus they are
now capable of providing a complete platoon lift simultaneously.
17. Tai Mo Shan (117 Simals Unit). A F PS-91A search radar with its
associated P PS-6 height finder is situated on Tai Mo Shen, the highest
point in the New Territories. The unit's primary task is to provide
information for intelligence purposes on aircraft flying over the Chinese
mainland. The radar picture is also relayed to Kai Pak Airport and is
used for long runge surviellance of civil aircraft appro...ching or leaving
the Colony.
Defence Contribution
18. The Hong Kong Government's present contribution towards the cost
of stationing troops in the Colony is £5 million a year out of a total
cost of some 216 million.
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19.
The present Agreement runs out on 31 March 1971 and negotiations
for a new Agreement are in hand. The budgetary costs of the garrison for 1971/72 are put at £20 million a year of which the internal security element is estimated at being rather over £10 million a year. It is hoped
(can
that the ñong Kong Government can be persuaded to meet the whole or a
very large part of this last figure. It is possible that they will prefer
to offset some of their contribution by undertaking to provide a number
of
works services.
will agree to meet a reasonable proportion.
SECREC