ANNEX A to
SECRET
DP_17/78(C)(Preliminary Draft)
Continued
UK CAPABILITY TO UNDERTAKE ADDITIONAL PRIORITY TWO COMMITMENTS IN THE MEDIUM TERH (1978 - 1583)
Naval Forces
47.
ND contribution awaited).
Land Forces
48. The components to permit Army participation in Priority Two
operations would normally be drawn from UK Land Forces (UKLF) and
the RM Commando Forces. Although UKLF has 25 infantry battalions
under command at any one time (including the UK Gurkha battalion
and three armoured reconnaissance regiments), and although there
are 4 Royal Marine Commandos, only two or three units are normally
without specific external duties in any one month (15). The same
units are not normally free of commitment the following month. As
a result, in addition to the Spearhead battalion,UKLF and/or
the Royal Marines are normally able to provide one Lattalion
group for emergency overseas deployment without immediate dis-
ruption to other tasks. However, were that deployment to last
for more than a few weeks the tasks left unfilled would need to
be met by other units. This would require:
Cancelling or curtailing NATO and/or overseas training
exercises.
b. Withdrawing Units from BAOR.
C.
Shorter intervals between operational tours with conseq-
uent increase in overstretch, turbulence and separation.
Note:
15.
DF 13/78 (Final) (To be issued).
A - 27 SECRET