TNAG-0060-FCO40-96-Strength-of-Hong-Kong-garrison-1968 — Page 113

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ANNEX A to DP_9/68 (Final) (Concluded)

and an armoured Squadron Shanded Swingture not have been introduced. battalions War Maintenance Reserves would be based on the

major units of the permanent garrison only.J

[su substitution]

f. There is no military justification for the permanent stationing of fighter aircraft in Hong Kong. Should the situation change, any such requirement could be met by deployment from our general capability. However, if political considerations are to be considered overriding

and if costs are met from outside the Defence budget, a small force of Hunter aircraft could be provided until the mid-1970s.

g. The Hong Kong Garrison by the end of 1971 should be:

(1) Royal Navy

Two Frigates

substitution

1

Five Twe Mine Counter Measure Vessels

One small tanker

HMS TAMAR, with small increase

in complement.

(2) Army

Six infantry battalions

(3) Royal Air Force

One light regiment, Royal

Artillery

One armoured car squadron

One field squadron, Royal Engineers.

Six Whirlwind helicopters

Element of Royal Air Force

Regiment squadron

Royal Air Force Kai Tak staging

post

Signal and radar facilities.

h. The costs of our proposals, above the present permanent garrison, will be about £3.3 million in annual budgetary terms, of which £0.6 million is in addition to the provision made in the calculations for long term costings for 1972/73 force levels (the "Four Day Costing Exercise"). The extra foreign exchange cost would be about £1.4 million. These figures do not include the costs of the three additional Mine Counter Measure Vessels

or any Hunter aircraft, which should be met from outside the

Defence budget.

j. The re-establishment of a resident naval and air presence in Hong Kong offers an opportunity to review the command

organisation in the Colony for the period after 1971.

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