TNAG-0539-FCO40-634-Strength-of-garrison-in-Hong-Kong-1975 — Page 124

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significant improvement in the

man-to-weapon ratio.

They

are expected to produce an overall reduction in numbers which will

be nearer 15,000 than the initial estimate of 12,000, and which

will include some measure of redundancy.

54. The Army equipment programme is made up of a variety of

comparatively low-priced items. The scope for savings through

cancellation or postponement of major new equipments or weapon

systems is therefore limited, compared with the other two Services;

and the substantial reduction which must be made in the programme

will affect a wide range of items. Savings will be effected

by a mixture of reductions in numbers, postponements and cancel-

lations. The field will cover such items as ammunition and mines,

bridging equipment, fighting and load carrying vehicles, guided

weapons and electronics. Four major measures, which were announced

in the Statement of 3 December 1974, are:-

8.

withdrawal from the RS 80 long range artillery

project (currently at project definition stage) on

which we were collaborating with Italy and West Germany;

cancellation of the Vixen wheeled reconnaissance

b.

vehicle;

C.

reductions in the planned purchases of Anglo-

French light helicopters;

d. reductions in the follow-up orders for Sultan,

Spartan and Samaritan, all members of the Anglo-

Belgian Combat Vehicle Reconnaissance (Tracked)

(CVR(T)) family of reconnaissance vehicles.

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