TNAG-0476-FCO40-541-Strength-of-garrison-in-Hong-Kong-1974 — Page 71

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in home defence.

Very broadly, an extra cut of

15,000 in BAOR along (leaving 35,000) might suffice;

or an extra cut of 10,000 in BAOR plus 10,000 in the

UK; other permutations are possible.

In short we could not continue credibly to

Whatever

defend our current frontage in BAOR; and the level of

home defence would be significantly reduced.

the BAOR/home "mix" chosen, the force level sustainable

in Northern Ireland would be markedly lowered.

C.

Royal Air Force

In order to meet the First level of savings, in addition

to the measures outlined at the Critical level, the

Royal Air Force would have to make further substantial

reductions in the strike/attack and reconnaissance,

tanker, air transport and tactical helicopter forces;

in addition the purchase of a number of types of air-

craft, weapons and airborne equipments would have to be

cancelled, reduced or deferred. Manpower would be reduced

by a further 6,000 servicemen and 700 civilians.

Reductions in the strike/attack and reconnaissance

force would entail reducing the current Vulcan and

Canberra force to a composite strike/attack/recce squadron

of 12 Vulcans with consequent substantial loss of

capability to both SACEUR and SACLANT. The further cuts

in the tanker force would jeopardise our ability to

mount effective air defence and strike operations at

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