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b.
Application. The ship's weapons should be able, selectively and under tight control to sink or incapacitate current and projected minor war vessels of the Chinese South Sea Fleet at a range of approximately 5,000 yards. They should be able to fire a single well aimed shot across the bow,. and be seen to be capable of inflicting such limited damage as will deter the crew of a boarded vessel from countermeasures.
C. Manning and Maintenance. The weapons should be simple, so that little operator or maintainer training is needed. A low level of routine maintenance is desirable.
MATERIAL STUDIES AND COSTS
34. Since the HKG will bear a major share it needs early advice on the order of costs involved, and would wish to agree the specification and the selected design. It is concerned to ensure economies of design in terms of speed, size, weapons and complement. Further it is the HKG's wish that it should also be advised, for the purpose of comparison, of the general cost of replacing the present patrol craft with vessels with alternative sea keeping, speed and armament characteristics.
35. In order to avoid research and development costs of a specialised vessel it is preferable that the replacements are bought "off-the-shelf" from the UK or from an "off-the-shelf design" built in the Far East.
RECOMMENDATIONS
36. The Fleet Requirements Committee is invited to:
a.“
Endorse the Outline Staff Target for the Hong Kong Patrol Craft. Authorise the material studies which are now required to establish the cost of the CST project and the cost of replacing the present patrol craft with vessels which will meet the requirements of this paper.
22 February 1977
Enclosure:
1.
Copy of Marine Police Sector Chart of Hong Kong
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