TNAG-0439-FCO40-504-Ministerial-Visits-Committee-monthly-returns-from-Hong-Kong--1974 — Page 69

SECT 33

6 major units to be the minimum needed to meet the threat in

the absence of any plans for early reinforcement. Discounting the

threats of an attack by China as a justification for a particular

permanent force level or scale of reinforcement, CBF concludes that

the minimum force level to ensure prompt assistance to the police

in an IS situation and, at the same time, to meet a realistically

limited threat along the border is 5 battalions or equivalent;

either an armoured reconnaissance squadron or a close support battery;

and 2 engineer squadrons. This option, however, is entirely dependent

for its operational viability on the timely arrival of a reinforcement

battalion should simultaneous emergencies arise in the urban areas

and on the border. For presentational purposes, the level proposed

by CBF could be expressed at 52 unitsplus support and thus correspond

broadly with that postulated by the Defence Review Steering Committee.

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