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8.
RAF
6 Whirlwind helicopters (already in Hong Kong)
RAF staging element
RAF signals element
A proposal that the RAF presence should also contain a permanent fighter element of five Hunter aircraft was likewise approved by the Committee subject to further examination being given to the possibility that the aircraft might be partly manned and serviced from local resources. Separate briefing
material has been provided on this subject.
Helicopters
9.
There are at present six Whirlwind helicopters on the strength of the Hong Kong Garrison. In January, the Commander British Forces, Hong Kong, reported through the Commander-in- Chief, Far East, that after one year's experience of support helicopters in Hong Kong, a simultaneous platoon lift was essential to meet internal security and other operational tasks; and that the force of six Whirlwinds had achieved only 50% availability during the year, representing a simultaneous lift of only half a platoon and sometimes less. In forwarding Commander, British Forces', Report, the Commander-in-Chief, Far East, strongly recommended that the Whirlwind helicopters should be replaced by six RAF Wessex helicopters.
10. The Ministry of Defence have stated that there is no possi- bility of making Wessex helicopters available since they are all otherwise fully engaged. As an alternative, they suggested that the strength of Whirlwind helicopters in Hong Kong should be
increased from six to nine or ten in March 1970 when three or
four will, in any event, become available from the Far Eastern Air Force. They also pointed out that the adoption of this proposal would involve additional annual costs of the order of £200,000 plus any works costs that might be identified. The Ministry added that this additional cost would probably have to be borne on defence votes, at least until March 1971, when the present defence contribution agreement with the Hong Kong Government expires. Commander-in-Chief, Far East, accordingly sought formal approval from the Ministry of Defence for the redeployment to Hong Kong in March 1970 of the four helicopters
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