Airlift
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ANNEX A to DP 31/70 (C) (Draft)(Continued
12. The ability to deploy the reinforcing battalion to Hong
Kong within 72 hours would depend upon the airlift that could be made available. It will be possible to provide, from the
general capability of Air Support Command post 1971, an
appropriate mix of strategic and medium range transport aircraft to move the personnel and freight of a battalion stationed either in Singapore or Brunei to Hong Kong within the specified period. Brunei will be capable of handling long range transport aircraft by November 1971. Plans would be prepared to meet the contingency. If a small medium range transport force is eventually stationed in SE Asia it would give the Royal Air Force an added measure of flexibility in their plans and could probably hasten the arrival of the leading company in Hong Kong.
Other Factors
13.
Although one battalion could be moved within the stipulated reinforcement period, there are other factors which have to be
taken into account. These are:
2.
Political Constraints.
The double earmarking of units
to meet a commitment to reinforce Hong Kong would probably be unpopular with most of the other Commonwealth
governments concerned.
The Malaysian Government have
A
6
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