52. Option C. To slim down the garrison to bring it strictly into line with the minimum essential requirement for its IS role and to meet a realistically limited threat along the
border. An illustration of this option and its implications !
are as follows:
a.
C.
Composition of a Slimmed Down Garrison:
Į
(1) HQ British Forces/Land Forces (reduced by 20%).
(2) Two "custom built" brigade headquarters.
(3) Two (UK) units equivalent to infantry battalions and capable of acting in the 1S role.
(4)
Three Gurkha infantry battalions, each with four rifle companies.
(5) Either an armoured reconnaissance squadron or à close support battery, with a strong preference for the latter.
(6) Gurkha Engineer Regiment of two reduced strength squadrons, one having an integral support troop.
(7)
Administrative units scaled down to the new
reduced responsibilities.
Savings
i
(1) The equivalent of one field force major unit..
(2)
Manpower savings in Engineers, Signals, beadquarters staffs and in administrative units of all types and in all three Services. These, together with the field force major unit, would amount to about 1,000 posts, of which 75% would be in UK manpower.
(3) Disbandment or return to UK of minor units which, in the present economic climate, can no longer be regarded as absolutely essential to Hong Kong.
(4)
Reductions in equipment and reserve stocks, especially in those specifically designed for limited war.
Financial Savings. These might amount to:
(1) About £2,25M in the first year, while existing stocks are absorbed into maintenance, and £1.5M in subsequent yea
(2) Substantial savings in personnel and equipment maintenance costs if the units removed were to be disbanded and their equipment absorbed into the Army maintenance programe.
(3) Although not a direct saving to IMG, there would ultimately be some reduction in the capital works programme, currently paid for by the Hong Kong Government, relative to the reduced Garrison.
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