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include contraction of Naval repair work from commercial yards and at Gibraltar into the 4 RN Dockyards in the UK, and a reduction of 10 support ships; drastic reduction of an Army Field Headquarters; closure of between 12 and 15 Air Stations in the UK; and a cut back
in flying and ground training. The Ministry of Defence would be cut
commensurately with the Forces as a whole.
manpower would be cut by about 35,000.
Altogether civilian
More detail is given in
paragraphs 26, 55 and 84 102 of Annex L.
105. R & D. The Critical level assumes reductions in manpower and equipment expenditure in the PE of more than 10%; this will have the effect of increasing risks in development, diminishing our ability to tackle complex and sophisticated weapons; and reducing standards
of management and support. It can be expected that experimental and
testing and capital facilities of all sorts will become obsolescent
as time goes on and that the staffs remaining as reductions take place will increasingly be unable to maintain the present level of
support for the Services.
Political Implications
106.
Although cuts of the order outlined above, in addition to those in the non-NATO area and in reinforcement capability (see Options A1 and B1), would, in the judgement of the Ministry of Defence, be just compatible with the maintenance of a coherent military strategy for the Alliance, they would in the view of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and the Assessments Staff have the following principal political implications:-
i.
The Brussels Treaty
Any permanent or substantial cuts in BAOR would involve
renegotiation of our obligation under the Brussels
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