a.
DRAFT
CONFIDENTIAL
to
The land element of the Hong Kong Garrison is reduce by Sep 94 to a single infantry battalion, with the necessary support services. This is to be achieved in accordance with the following outline timetable:
(1) The UK resident battalion is to deploy to the UK between Apr and Sep 94, and not be replaced.
(2) The remaining two Gurkha battalions are to amalgamate (as planned) into a single unit by Sep 94.
(3) Prior to Sep 94 the resident (Hong Kong-based) Garrison is to relinquish its role of being capable of relieving the RHKP on the border.
b. Plans for the reinforcement of Hong Kong are to be reviewed by Sep 94, together with the role of such
reinforcements.
C. Savings are to be achieved in the support area, which should be quantified in detail.
d.
Further work is to be carried out on the handling of the rundown with the Chinese and with the public in Hong Kong and in the UK.
POLICY ISSUES
BRITISH FORCES HONG KONG CONCEPT OF OPERATIONS
6. As a result of the improving capabilities of the Royal Hong Kong Police (RHKP), the HKG has indicated2 that it no longer requires the Garrison to support the RHKP in a general internal security (IS) role. The only
The only tasks for the small in-place military forces in the future will be to
in the future will be to secure the defence estate, military key points (KP), and the airhead to ensure reinforcement. The HKG has stated that, in the event of extreme internal unrest, it might be necessary for the Garrison to relieve the RHKP Frontier Patrol Detachment (FPD) in order that they might be redeployed to IS tasks elsewhere. This latter task would normally require a force of up to battalion strength, which would have to be provided by reinforcement. In the event that the illegal immigration (II) problem was particularly pressing, limited number of additional troops might be required to reinforce the border and relieve the RHKP of other II tasks
a
2
HKG Telegram 291651Z APR 93.
2
C:\FEW2\RUNDOWN
CONFIDENTIAL
DRAFT