TOP SECRET
DF Note 27/67(Continued)
11. Comment. These proposals raise a new concept for the garrison of Hong Kong, which has sericus imalie biens for the Army, and would set a precedent affecting other Services and civilian families. You have already endorsed (8) the view that accompanied service overseas is one of the most
As more attractive features of a career in the Services. than 50% of Servicemen are married, a reasonable expectation of family unity is clearly of fundamental importance if a career in the forces is to maintain any attraction to those in it, or to offer any inducement to those considering enlist- ment. You recommended that there should be no change in the present arrangements for accompanied service in the Far East theatre. If for the operational reasons put forward by the Commander-in-Chief you were to reconsider the policy of accompanied service for the Hong Kong garrison, the implications for the Army would be very considerable. These derive from the necessity to relieve units on unaccompanied tours with much greater frequency and to give them periods of immunity from other contingency operations in the periods preceding and following those tours. In broad terms, although the Commander- in-Chief's proposals could, with some difficulty, be put into effect in the short term until about 1972, there would inevitably have to be an increase in the planned long term Army force levels, and a consequential deferment of the disbandment of a certain number of units at present planned to take place between 1971 and 1976. This would in addition lead to a considerable degree of over-stretch on other units in the United Kingdom, and a consequential reduction in the capabilities of a part of Strategic Command. A Note by the Army Department, circulated under separate cover, sets out in detail the implications of the Commander-in-Chief's proposals for unaccompanied service.
ROYAL NAVY
12. The Commander-in-Chief's requirement for the presence of at
Until our least one escort and a few MCM vessels can be met. withdrawal from Singapore, two MCMVs will rotate from Singapore, but from the mid-Seventies it has been assumed (9) that three MCMVs will be permanently based in Hong Kong. An escort will continue to be provided from the naval forces assumed (9) to be available in the Far East.
13.
ROYAL AIR FORCE
The Commandor-in-Chief's Views. The Commander-in-Chief states that both the Governor and Commander British Forces Hong Kong would clearly like a permanent fighter and helicopter presence in Hong Kong. He recommends that RAF helicopters should be permanently based in Hong Kong after our withdrawal from Singapore in the mid-Seventies. He also recommends that, in view of the practical difficulties of maintaining a permanent fighter presence and of providing effective interception, the MOD(Air) should examine the desirability of stationing fighters in the medium and long term.
140
Helicopters. The Commander-in-Chief has at present deployed six RAF helicopters to Hong Kong. The position after the final withdrawal of air forces from Malaysia and Singapore should be reconsidered nearer the time.
Notes:
8.
COS 29th Mtg/67 9. OPD(67)46
る
TOP SECRET
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.