CONFIDENTIAL
3RD DRAFT
OTHER ARMY COMBAT FORCES
15. This category comprises land forces stationed overseas to
meet the "nited Kingdom's Commonwealth and international commitments
As follows:
!
a.
The Far East. In support of the Five Power Defence
Arrangements, Britain's land forces contribution in
Singapore at present consists of a small brigade headquarters,
an infantry battalion group and appropriate logistic elements.
They will be withdrawn during 1976 although the consultative
arrangements will remain. The Hong Kong garrison consists of
five infantry battalions, three of which are Gurkha battalions:
an artillery regiment; an armoured reconnaissance squadron:
and appropriate support units. The Government is discussing
with the Hong Kong Government the future size of the forces
and the arrangements for financing them.
Negotiations have
begun with the Government of Brunei about the withdrawal of
the Gurkha infantry battalion stationed there.
b. The Persian Gulf. The small British Military
Assistance Team will be withdrawn from Sharjah by 1 July 1975.
C. The Mediterranean. In Cyprus, the Army's contribution
to the United Nations' force is an infantry battalion,
an armoured reconnaissance regiment less one squadron, and
logistic support. The present garrison in the British
Sovereign Base Areas is two infantry battalions and an
armoured reconnaissance squadron, together with appropriate
logistic support units. An infantry battalion forms the
major part of the Gibraltar garrison.
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CONFIDENTIAL