TNAG-0179-FCO40-215-Strength-of-Hong-Kong-Garrison-1970 — Page 46

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Background Note

Fighter Aircraft

The unit of R.A.F. fighter aircraft (Hunters) formerly stationed in Hong Kong was withdrawn in March 1967 as part of the defence review economies and air cover has since been provided by regular and frequent visits of fighters and other aircraft from Singapore. Upon the decision being taken to withdraw British forces from Singapore/Malaysia, the Governor proposed that fighter aircraft should once again be stationed

In in Hong Kong as part of the Colony's future garrison. support of his proposal the Governor argued that fighter cover

was required:

(a) to deter intrusion by military aircraft into

Hong Kong air space (e.g. by Chinese Communist or Nationalist aircraft);

(b) to bolster local confidence.

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office supported the Governor and the proposal was approved by Ministers (in Defence Overseas Policy Committee) in May 1968 "subject to further examination of the possibility that these aircraft might be manned and serviced from local resources". The Ministry of Defence subsequently produced estimates of the costs of establishing and operating a unit which, in round figures, envisaged capital expenditure of £300,000 for the purchase of the aircraft and recurrent annual expenditure of £335,000.

2.

Difficulties arose over the provision of the necessary funds to meet this expenditure. The Chiefs of Staff and the Ministry of Defence maintained that no part of the costs should be accepted against defence votes since there was no military case for establishing a fighter unit in Hong Kong and that any argument for so doing must therefore be based on

political grounds.

3.

On the other hand, the Governor made it clear that any requirement that Hong Kong should pay for the capital cost of the aircraft would so affront public opinion in the Colony, and more particularly the opinion of the unofficial members of his Executive and Legislative Councils, that it

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