STORET
79. Within the Critical level, the Ministry of Defence propose
retain a minimum specialist reinforcement capability of:
b.
C.
a force of brigade group size;
one RM Commando group with ite associated support
helicopters;
the present UK contribution to the AMF, comprising:
(1) a Land Element of one airportable battalion, one
light battery, one reconnaissance squadron, one
engineer troop, a logistic support regiment, one
signal troop and 4 RAF Wessex support helicopters.
an Air Element of one squadron of Harrier aircraft.
These specialist capabilities would be augmented as required with:
offensive support aircraft and support helicopters;
d.
(2)
and would use some or all of the following resources:
e.
one CVS in its secondary role of LPH (HERMES) ;
f.
two LPD's, only one of which would be in commission at
any one time, and which would also be used as a sea
g.
h.
training ship (but these ships would not be replaced);
6 Army LSLS;
an air transport force currently identified as comprising
56 strategic transport aircraft;
j.
civil sea and air transport as required.
80. This would represent a serious reduction, involving a cut of
something approaching two thirds of our present specialist reinforce-
ment capabilities. The effect on the UK contribution to the defence
of the Flanks of NATO, particularly the Northern Flank would be
significant because without stationed forces in Norway and Denmark
and given the lack of political will in those countries, there is a
danger that NATO's Northern Flank could be turned and the direct
military threat to the UK increased.
Our contribution to the
39
SEGEERET