DEFENCE AND SECURITY
ESSENTIAL FACTS
The Garrison
CONFIDENTIAL
1. HMG have responsibility for defence and internal security of
Hong Kong. Governor, while nominally Commander-in-Chief, is advised
by Commander British Forces (CBF) who is responsible to Chief of
Defence Staff, but also sits on Hong Kong Executive Council. CBF
exercises full operational command over all British Forces in the area in event of emergency.
2. Garrison totals over 8,000 men (20% UK, 60% Gurkha and 20% Hong
Kong Chinese). At present there are 5 Infantry Battalions (4 Gurkha, 1 British), a Gurkha Engineer Regiment, 5 Naval patrol craft, two squadrons of helicopters and appropriate support from all three Services. In addition, Royal Hong Kong Regiment (The
Volunteers) and Royal Hong Kong Auxiliary Air Force come under CBF's
command when called out. There is provision for short-term
reinforcement from both UK and Brunei. There are no proposals for reducing size of Hong Kong Garrison.
3. Current Defence Costs Agreement between Ministry of Defence and
Hong Kong Government came into effect on 1 April 1981. It lasts initially for 7 years and will be renewable for further periods of 5
years on same terms unless either Government wishes to vary them.
Under Agreement, Hong Kong contributes 75% of costs of Garrison including various indirect expenses.
4. Garrison is responsible for Hong Kong's external defence, but
territory is not defensible against determined full-scale attack
from China. Primary role of the Garrison is therefore internal security in support of civil power. British Forces have not had to be employed in this role for many years but would be essential to
deal successfully with any major threat to internal security or breakdown in law and order. In recent years main operational
CONFIDENTIAL