SECT 33
6 major units to be the minimum needed to meet the threat in
the absence of any plans for early reinforcement. Discounting the
threats of an attack by China as a justification for a particular
permanent force level or scale of reinforcement, CBF concludes that
the minimum force level to ensure prompt assistance to the police
in an IS situation and, at the same time, to meet a realistically
limited threat along the border is 5 battalions or equivalent;
either an armoured reconnaissance squadron or a close support battery;
and 2 engineer squadrons. This option, however, is entirely dependent
for its operational viability on the timely arrival of a reinforcement
battalion should simultaneous emergencies arise in the urban areas
and on the border. For presentational purposes, the level proposed
by CBF could be expressed at 52 unitsplus support and thus correspond
broadly with that postulated by the Defence Review Steering Committee.
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