SECRET UK EYES A
the airfield, which might facilitate deployments either into the Mediterranean or to the South Atlantic. Ascension Island will remain central to the support of a garrison in the Falkland Islands, while the latter may acquire greater strategic significance in the context of developments in Antarctica. The importance of Cyprus and Gibraltar may diminish somewhat if action is taken in concert with southern
European allies, and it will also be valuable to foster relations with friendly but not formally allied countries in regions of strategic concern, with a view to increasing the range of basing and staging options in an emergency.
42. Maritime Capabilities. The geographical locations of the UK's remaining dependencies and other defence obligations, and
the fact that most of the countries in the areas of chief British strategic interest 00A are bordered by the sea, will entail a continuing rôle for maritime forces. Such forces will require the requisite range and endurance to facilitate deployment and effective time on station, and both power- projection and self-defence capabilities. Recent experience has shown that ships designed for NATO operations have required enhancements to fit them for 00A rôles, and while the bias towards ASW should continue for NATO employment it would be advantageous to give greater consideration to 00A requirements at the design stage, with the aim of increasing the multi-rôle flexibility of platforms. Operational capabilities liable to be of particular importance O0A are the ability to deploy amphibious forces and offensive air power, while in defensive terms MAAW and MCM will be significant. The amphibious capability would enable the UK to pose a threat with a landing force capable of rapid insertion, withdrawal and re-insertion as required, with logistic support, independently of local bases. Similar independence
characterizes organic offensive airpower, which could extend a threat of direct attack over a wide area and might, as a last
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UK EYES A SECRET