route to the Middle East and if such a route is to be retained this
will have implications for the proposals to remove the facilities at
Cyprus and our establishment at Gan.
Moreover, the value of
reinforcement in an emergency is limited since it may not prove
possible to carry it out quickly enough, and the introduction of
additional forces could in itself be a destabilising factor.
Preserving a reinforcement capability is costly.
Royal Navy
6. The present force consists of a frigate (guard ship) and
5 patrol craft with support. Costs]
7. The Governor attaches importance to retaining the frigate since
it alone has the force and speed of the Chinese gunboats which
enter the Colony's waters and which have attempted to intimidate
the slower and weaker patrol craft, and the police launches. In
order to retain the frigate he would be willing to surrender 2 patrol
boats. The local naval commander would be reluctant to surrender
more than one. There could be some saving in support costs. Costs
Royal Air Force
8. The present force consists of 8 helicopters with necessary
support facilities.
[Costs]
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