CONFIDENTIAL
6
9.
Military Units available to support the Civil Power could be drawn from :-
(a)
(b)
Royal Navy (RN)
There are 3 RN patrol craft, one of which will be on patrol or at immediate readiness daily throughout the year. Each patrol craft will normally be capable of deploying a Fast Pursuit Craft.
A 4 man diving team can undertake
underwater Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) task.
limited
(This capability will not be available after March 1994.)
Army
a
The Army element of the Garrison has brigade of 3 Infantry battalions with strong combat support and logistic support units. These include the Queens Gurkha Engineers (QGE), 660 Sqn Army Air Corps (AAC), Transport, Signals and EOD/Search troops. The Royal Hong Kong Regiment (Volunteers) can deploy 4 squadrons either to the Sino-Hong Kong border or to guard Key Points. This unit is due to disband in 1995. In practice a significant proportion of these resources would be required to secure and maintain military
throughout
installations
the Territory. The level of support that could be made available from 'in place' forces would depend very much on the assessed threat to the military estate during any emergency and the possibility of external agression. Plans exist to reinforce the Territory with up to 2 further brigades should the need arise and these could be available to support the Police if required.
(c) Royal Air Force
The RAF in Hong Kong provides helicopter support from 28 (AC) Sqn RAF. The squadron has 8 Wessex aircraft but it is usual for only 6 to be available for tasking. In an emergency this availability will improve. The RAF also supervises the contract handling of RAF transport aircraft and provides the nucleus of a Movement Control facility by deploying an Airport Unit at Kai Tak International Airport. Strengthening the
Airport Unit would permit full military handling of a major reinforcement airlift.
CONFIDENTIAL
AZ