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49. A frigate without any patrol craft at all provides good deterrent value but only limited on task patrol coverage. Ultimately, a number of smaller vessels with fire power similar to the frigate would be ideal.
50.
The absence of an artillery battery would inhibit the maintenance of proper professional military standards, as well as leaving the garrison short of the equivalent of one company to meet its commitments in the event of widespread disturbances (ie the 1/3 in paragraph 47).
OPTION 'B'
51.
This would cost £36M per annum and comprise:
Frigate
1 x UK battalion
4 x Gurkha battalions
1 x Gurkha Engineer field squadron (with a separate
8 Wessex helicopters
training wing)
52. This option would provide 5 1/3 major units, for use in the infantry IS role, and therefore, whether the disturbances were localised or widespread, would meet the security requirements in all the urban areas and on the land border almost in their entirety. The naval drawbacks would be as in Option A. The absence of the artillery battery would be less significant, in view of the stronger infantry force, but the maintenance of proper professional military standards would be inhibited,
20
G.F. 316
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