TNAG-0537-FCO40-632-Strength-of-garrison-in-Hong-Kong-1975 — Page 123

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2ND DRAFT

However, it is neither practicable nor economic to make the

individual Systems Establishments self-sufficient in all the

technologies required, particularly where these technologies are

common to all or several environments or relate to a variety of

likely users. The supporting Technology Establishments therefore

concentrate on specific technologies and the appropriate sub-systems (such as engineering equipment or propulsion units).

7.

The first stage of the rationalisation programme announced in the 1973 Statement on the Defence Estimates (Cmnd. 5231) is being

implemented. Proposals under consideration for the second stage, dealing with Establishments engaged in research and development in

the fields of marine, explosives and materials technology, will

take into account the findings of the Defence Review. There will

be consultations with the Staff and Trades Union Sides and other

interested parties before any decisions are taken.

8.

INTERNATIONAL COLLABORATION

Collaborative procurement of defence equipment offers the NATO Alliance the best prospect of achieving standardisation of weapons and reducing the high cost of developing complex modern armaments.

Standardisation paves the way for common logistic and training

arrangements and the British Armed Services and industry can fairly

claim to be in the forefront of this movement.

projects currently in development include the Anglo-German-Italian

Multi-Role Combat Aircraft;

Collaborative

two major artillery weapons on which

the three countries are also collaborating; and the Anglo-French

Lynx helicopter. These and other co-operative ventures will account for about 7% of the money to be spent on research and

development in 1975-76.

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