TNAG-0539-FCO40-634-Strength-of-garrison-in-Hong-Kong-1975 — Page 110

CONFIDENTIAL

The areas where British can best contribute

25.

The Government has decided to concentrate British effort

in those areas where it believes that Britain can make the most

significant contribution to her security and that of the Alliance.

The Government judges these to be:-

a.

The Central Region, where NATO is heavily and

increasingly outnumbered in fighting divisions, in manpower

in fighting units and in all the major weapons systems (tanks,

field guns and aircraft). The British Army of the Rhine (BAOR),

which holds an important section of the Central Front in the

crucial area of the North German plain, and RAF Germany play

a major part in the forward defence of this Region.

For these reasons, we will continue to maintain a field

army of 55000 and a tactical air force on the mainland of

Europe in accordance with our Brussels Treaty commitment,

making no reductions below this level in BAOR or to RAF Germany

in advance of Mutual and Balanced Force Reductions (MBFR).

We shall continue to make provision for reinforcing these

forces in times of tension or emergency. They will be

progressively re-equipped to improve their effectiveness.

Scorpion tracked reconnaissance vehicles have already entered

service with the Army; in due course the Lance tactical nuclear

missile system will replace Honest John; and the Rapier low-

level surface-to-air missile system has entered service with

the Army, and with the RAF Regiment for airfield defence.

Plans for the introduction of the Multi-Role Combat Aircraft

I-10

CONFIDENTIAL

CONFIDENTIAL