TNAG-0539-FCO40-634-Strength-of-garrison-in-Hong-Kong-1975 — Page 231

CONFIDENTIAL

CONFIDENTIAL

The Royal Air Force, with one of the largest real-time computer

systems in Europe, will be the first Service to have a totally

centralised network, controlling supply on a world-wide basis.

There will be over 600 visual display units and associated printers

distributed among all self-accounting units in the United Kingdom

and West Germany. Many routine clerical tasks will be eliminated.

37. A new Controllerate of Engineering and Supply was set up on

1 November 1973 and Royal Air Force Engineering and Supply staffs

at the Ministry of Defence have been integrated under one Controller

to provide for the co-ordinated management and development of

support in the Royal Air Force.

Further studies are examining the

extent to which management can be improved by integrating Engineering:

and Supply staffs at Command Headquarters and Royal Air Force

staticns.

Logistic Support

38. The Royal Air Force is taking full advantage of the opportuni-

ties offered by the international collaborative aircraft programmes

to reduce RAF support costs. The principle of inter-dependent

logistics is being followed in developing the support arrangements

for the Multi-Role Combat Aircraft.

INT FR-SERVICE CO-ORDINATION OF SUPPORT

39. There has been further rationalisation of supply and engineering

support. Since March 1973 the Royal Air Force has been responsible

for supplying aircraft spares to all three Services. The scheme

for rationalising the support of new equipments to be used by more

than one Service has gone well.

VI-13

CONFIDENTIAL

CONFIDENTIAL