SLURII UN MUDO A
:
forces in support of NATO. It is therefore planned to keep
sufficient national forces to defend our sea and air space
and to maintain internal security. I have already discussed
the air defence force. There will be a reduction in the
minecountermeasures force, but it will remain large enough
to keep open the nuclear submarine access routes from the Clyde to the open sea and to deter the mining threat to the
reinforcement routes. We cannot contemplate any reduction
in our Army front line units stationed in the United Kingdom
until the situation in Northern Ireland improves. However,
Service and civilian manpower will decline sharply, reflecting
the major cuts we intend to impose in the support area.
Strategic Nuclear Deterrent
23. As Sir John Hunt has already stated, we intend to
maintain the existing strategic nuclear deterrent force of
4 Polaris submarines and to improve its capability.
By
24.
You will see from my description of our capabilities
that we are maintaining the present broad balance between
the essential elements of the UK contribution to NATO.
keeping to it, we continue to support fully the Alliance's
strategy.
Non-NATO and Mediterranean Commitments
25. Let me now turn to our non-NATO and Mediterranean
This is what we propose to do in each instance.
We do not see any
commitments.
First, in the UK's dependent territories.
11
SECRET UK EYES A
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