SECRET
ANNEX A te
DP 17/78(C)(Preliminary Deeft)
(Continued)
entire UNFICYP force, limited logistic support for UNIFIL from
Cyprus, and air transport for the Fijian contingent to UNIFIL.
The Chiefs of Staff have agreed7 (15) that in anticipation of
an increased requirement for peacekeeping operations and in lieu
of former UK offers, HMG should offer to provide for any future
operation (in addition to present support for UNFICYP and UNIFIL):
(a) An infantry battalion group for up to 6 months at
7 days notice to deploy;
(b) The initial airlift of this force to its deployment
area;
(c) Assistance with sea-borne support wherever possible,
A longer deployment or logistic support for a larger force or for
a deployment in excess of six months, could only be provided
by drawing on BAOR (Priority One) resources. Successive cuts in
the support area have left the Army with insufficient signals
and logistics resources to support teeth arm units provided
by other nations. For example, to satisfy a UN request for signals
support in Namibia would have meant that Northern Ireland, Belize
or Hong Kong could not be reinforced, signals elements could not be
included in protected evacuations, and within six months an
armoured division in BAOR would have become non-operational. Air
transport support for the UK force, once deployed, would be
impossible without adjustment of the shape, size and employment
of the Air Transport Force.
Note:
15. DP 13/78 (Final) (To be issued)
16