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in home defence.
Very broadly, an extra cut of
15,000 in BAOR along (leaving 35,000) might suffice;
or an extra cut of 10,000 in BAOR plus 10,000 in the
UK; other permutations are possible.
In short we could not continue credibly to
Whatever
defend our current frontage in BAOR; and the level of
home defence would be significantly reduced.
the BAOR/home "mix" chosen, the force level sustainable
in Northern Ireland would be markedly lowered.
C.
Royal Air Force
In order to meet the First level of savings, in addition
to the measures outlined at the Critical level, the
Royal Air Force would have to make further substantial
reductions in the strike/attack and reconnaissance,
tanker, air transport and tactical helicopter forces;
in addition the purchase of a number of types of air-
craft, weapons and airborne equipments would have to be
cancelled, reduced or deferred. Manpower would be reduced
by a further 6,000 servicemen and 700 civilians.
Reductions in the strike/attack and reconnaissance
force would entail reducing the current Vulcan and
Canberra force to a composite strike/attack/recce squadron
of 12 Vulcans with consequent substantial loss of
capability to both SACEUR and SACLANT. The further cuts
in the tanker force would jeopardise our ability to
mount effective air defence and strike operations at
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