XN000022-1981-06-25 — Page 2

TARKAY, JUNE 25, 1981

REPLACEMENT RN PATROL CRAFT

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A CONTRACT FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF FIVE ROYAL NAVY PATROL CRAFT TO REPLACE THE FIVE TON CLASS MINESWEEPERS OF THE ROYAL NAVY SQUADRON IN HONG KONG IS TO BE PLACED IN THE UNITED KINGDOM BY THE MINISTRY OF DEFENCE (NAVY). THE FIRST SHIP IS DUE TO COME INTO SERVICE IN MID-1983, THE LAST BY THE END OF 1984.

THE ANNOUNCEMENT WAS MADE IN PARLIAMENT TODAY (THURSDAY 25TH JUNE) BY THE DEFENCE SECRETARY MR NOTT IN A MAJOR POLICY SPEECH ANNOUNCING THE OUTCOME OF HIS EXAMINATION OF THE DEFENCE PROGRAMME. HE SAID,

+WE ARE PLACING AN ORDER FOR FIVE PATROL CRAFT WITH HALL RUSSELL IN ABERDEEN FOR SERVICE IN HONG KONG, ALL OF THE VESSELS TO BE BUILT IN THE UNITED KINGDOM. SEVENTY-FIVE PER CENT OF THE COST OF THESE VESSELS WILL BE PAID BY THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT+,

THIS ORDER IS BEING PLACED FOLLOWING SUBMISSION OF DESIGN AND BUILD TENDERS BY SEVERAL SHIPYARDS INCLUDING OPTIONS FOR SUBCONTRACTING UP TO FOUR SHIPS TO HONG KONG. THE TENDER SELECTED WAS THE LOWEST AND PROVIDED FOR ALL FIVE SHIPS TO BE BUILT IN THE UNITED KINGDOM.

EACH SHIP WILL HAVE A DISPLACEMENT OF ABOUT 695 TONS, A SERVICE SPEED OF OVER 24 KNOTS AND WILL BE EQUIPPED WITH A 76 MM OTO MELARA GUN AND A SPERRY SEA ARCHER FIRE CONTROL SYSTEM. THEY WILL BE CONSTRUCTED IN STEEL TO MEET MINISTRY OF DEFENCE (NAVY) SPECIFICATIONS AND ARE BEING PROCURED IN ACCORDANCE WITH NORMAL MOD PROCEDURES.

IN ACCORDANCE WITH AGREEMENT REACHED IN 1976, THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT WILL CONTRIBUTE 75% OF THE CAPITAL COSTS OF THE SHIPS.

IN ADDITION, UNDER THE TERMS OF THE DEFENCE COSTS AGREEMENT CONCLUDED IN OCTOBER LAST YEAR BETWEEN HONG KONG AND THE UNITED KINGDOM GOVERNMENT, HONG KONG WILL CONTRIBUTE 75% TOWARDS RECURRENT COSTS OF THE SHIPS. HONG KONG'S CONTRIBUTION TOWARDS THE CAP ITAL COST OF THE SHIPS WILL BE IN THE ORDER OF HK$460 MILLION AT FEBRUARY 1981 PRICES. SHOULD THE SHIPS EVER BE DEPLOYED PERMANENTLY OUTSIDE HONG KONG, THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT WILL BE CREDITED WITH 75% OF THE VALUE OF THE VESSELS AT THE TIME. THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT HAS BEEN CONSULTED AT EACH STAGE OF THE PROCUREMENT PROGRAMME AND ACCEPTS THAT THE TENDER SHOULD BE PLACED WITH THE LOWEST TENDERERS.

THE HONG KONG SQUADRON OF THE ROYAL NAVY SUPPORTS THE MARINE POLICE IN OPERATIONS AGAINST ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION, SMUGGLING AND OTHER INFRINGEMENTS OF HONG KONG'S TERRITORIAL WATERS. IT ALSO HAS A WIDER ROLE IN PATROLLING THE SOUTH CHINA SEA, RESPONDING TO DISTRESS CALLS AND CONDUCTING SEARCH AND RESCUE OPERATIONS. ITS PRESENCE IN HONG KONG AND VISITS TO OTHER PORTS IN THE REGION DEMONSTRATES TO A WIDE AUDIENCE THE UNITED KINGDOM GOVERNMENT'S COMMITMENT TO HONG KONG.

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