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ANNEX A to
DP 1780) (Freliminary Draft) (Continuea
3
shorter concurrent commitments to be undertaken without with-
drawing battalions from Europe, and without significantly
decreasing intervals between operational tours. One additional
battalion may be made available following current studies (20)
into the feasibility of maintaining a second in-role parachute
battalion in the UK. A second battalion could be made available
if a proposal ((21) to replace the infantry battalion in Gibraltar
by s amaller IS trained Artillery Regiment were approved.
longer term the MBFR negotiations may result in a smaller British
Army in Germany with consequent release of units for Priority Two
tasks. In the medium term however the only alternative to raising
two additional battalions, which we judge to be the minimum increase
to reduce damage to NATO, appears to be a re-organisation of the
tasking of existing units.
In the
62. Transport Aircraft. No additional Priority Two Commitment
can be undertaken by the ATF without detriment to other tasks
as bids for airlift already exceed available resources. A
relatively modest increase in the size of the ATF would however
create a markedly increased capability to respond to emergencies
or to accept commitments without increasing present penalties to
NATO. If aircrew were available, an additional 6 Hercules
aircraft would permit logistic resupply of a deployed battalion
group or permit a modest increase in the UK commitment to CENTO
without effect on the UK contribution to NATO. We believe
!
Notes:
20. PS/Prime Minister letter to Cabinet office dated 10 July 1978.
21. C in C Gibraltar 2136 of 18 August 1978 to CDS.
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