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to a UK battalion being rotated every 2 months.

However,

the provision of a battalion for SPEARHEAD duties will be affected and BAOR will have to find up to 3 battalions for this duty. The balance of 2 companies to meet the requirement would be met from the Gurkha battalion in Brunei (this is in accordance with the terus of our agreement with the Sultan, and the High Commissioner in Brunei has confirmed that he does not expect this to cause any problems).

3. Royal Air Force: There will be a reduction of 25% in

the WESSEX support capability available to 1(Bk) Corps from No 18 Squadron hAF. EACI.'s deployment plans would be affected.

(b) Training

Many national and NATO exercises already planned to take place in the UK or overseas during this period will be seriously curtailed or cancelled. These include one major Naval exercise ard 10 Army exercises. Unit training will be disrupted. The training of all ki. and NATO warships at Portland will be affected as a result of the reduction in FIES; and the stoppage of training of specialised personnel for the l Hovercraft Unit will also lead to inability to complete important hovercraft tials. The reduction of KAF WESSEX in BAUR will &1.30 affect training.

(c) Movements

t:

25% of the available K. VC 10 fiort will be absorbed by the rotation programme for the Uk battalion during the month in which the change-over occurs. Lhe movement of Cik, bea King and hovercraft by air would be a lengthy and expensive process. Movement by sea would take about four weeks.

(d) Ceremonial

Disruption will be caused to the ublic Duties' battalion roster. Flanned ceremonial in Irunei to celebrate The Queen's Birthday Parade and the uitan's birthday will be curtailed.

CONFIDEN' 'IAL

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