trength and
Gavaison
SECRET
no illusion about the ability of the present Garrison to ronist
for long, regards tho existence of British troops deploycâ to
guard the frontier ao an assurance of our intention to maintain
our position in the Colony. The principal role of the
garrison is therefore to assist in maintaining internal
security and local confidence; if either were to slip, the
Chinese Government would be quick to exploit the situation
and our position would rapidly become untenable.
Until.
bitt
21. Hong Kong became on independent military command in April, 1970. The present Garrison in the Colony consists of 63
major Amy unite and three coastal minesweepers.
recently Fighter air cover was provided from Singapore;
this arrangement could not be continued after the withdrawal
of an RAF Hunter squadron fromSingapore in March, 1970. Fighter cover on a reduced scale is now provided by visits to
the Colony by RA detachments of aircraft on training flights
to the Far East. Since it would not be possible to reinforce
the liong Kong Garrison from Singapore or Malaysia in time of need, the previous Goverment decided that, after 1971, tho
Garrison should consist of:
Royal. Navy
J
Two Frigates
:
Army
Royal Air Force
Five Mine counter measures
One small tanker
73 major units
Ten Whirlwind holicoptors (already in Hong Kong)
RAP staging elements
RAF Signals elements.
22. From local funds Hong Kong maintains a Polico Force
with an establishment of about 12,000 all ranke (overwhelmingly Chinoso in composition) and a Volunteer Defence Force about
/ 900
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