TNAG-0060-FCO40-96-Strength-of-Hong-Kong-garrison-1968 — Page 57

SECRET

UK EYES ONLY

ANNEX A TO COS 23/68

(Continued)

Kong and consider that the Governor's request could be met by the undertaking to deploy high-performance Phantom aircraft from our

general capability should the military necessity arise. However,

should the political arguments be overriding and the costs borne

from outside Defence Votes, the Air Force could provide a self-

contained unit of four Hunter Aircraft together with a Hunter

trainer after the squadron in Singapore is withdrawn.

This

force could be sustained until about 1975, by which time the position

would have to be reviewed. In any event there will be a contin-

uing need for the signal and radar facilities.

32. Royal Air Force Regiment. As a result of the withdrawal of

our forces from Malaysia and Singapore it will no longer be possible to deploy Royal Air Force Regiment reinforcement from

within the theatre. With the permanent stationing of Royal Air

Force aircraft in Hong Kong, we see the continuing need for the deployment of elements of a Royal Air Force Regiment squadron to provide for the protection of Royal Air Force installations at Kai Tak and the radar and signals units at Tai Mo Shan.

33.

Staging Post Facilities. Whilst the requirement to reinforce the garrison remains and units are deployed by air, there will be a continuing need for the present staging facilities in Hong Kong.

LOGISTICS

Peace-time Maintenance

34. Under the present system Navy and Army units in Hong Kong

are supplied, in the main, from the Singapore base. RAF units

are supplied largely direct from the UK. When Hong Kong becomes an independent command we would expect an increase in stock holding of about 10% to compensate for the long lines of communica- tion from the United Kingdom, even taking into account routine re-supply by air. The m ture and extent of increases in logistic

support are dependent upon the outcome of further study. Full advantage would be taken of civilian repair facilities but some capability and spares backing would be needed to compensate for the loss of the Singapore base repair facilities.

Level of War Reserves

35.

Pre-stocked Unit Equipment (PUE).

Irrespective of the

eventual size of the permanent garrison, PUE for reinforcing

SECRET

is

11

UK EYES ONLY