TNAG-0253-FCO40-289-Strength-of-Hong-Kong-garrison-1970 — Page 5

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CONFIDENTIAL

SECOND DRAFT

ROYAL NAVY GENERAL PURPOSE COMBAT FORCES

COMPOSITION

The naval general purpose combat forces comprise:

Amphibious forces (including a Commando brigade

12.

a.

headquarters and four Royal Marines Commandos)

Aircraft carriers;

b.

C.

Submarines;

d.

Cruisers;

Destroyers and frigates;

f.

Mine countermeasures forces;

g. Support and other ships.

DEPLOYMENT

13.

Amphibious forces in the United Kingdom are earmarked for

assignment to NATO, but they can be deployed world-wide and many will

be during the next twelve months.

14. The majority of H.M. Ships are now in the Western Fleet operating

in the Atlantic and the seas around Europe, and most ships spend

some time in home waters. All major ships, wherever they are deployed,

are earmarked for assignment to NATO in war. One frigate is permanently

assigned to the Standing Naval Force Atlantic.

15.

8+

Naval forces permanently deployed overseas are as follows:

East of Suez An amphibious ship, destroyers, frigates,

submarines and mine countermeasures vessels and other ships

including Royal Fleet Auxiliary vessels; some mine countermeasures

vessels based in Hong Kong to support maritime police patrols;

and a brigade group of Royal Marines Commandos. By the end of

1971, five frigates or destroyers and possibly also a submarine on station(including Hong Kong) contributing to Five Power

Commonwealth defence arrangement.

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CONFIDENTIAL

/b.