SECRET 高度機密
ESSENTIAL ELEMENTS OF THE GARRISON
22.
In the light of the political and military factors involved, the Working Party agreed that any garrison should contain certain essential elements:
b.
C.
d.
A Naval presence.
1 x UK battalion, as part of a professional infantry force able to cover the border and in the IS role provide adequate support for the Police.
Some engineer capability.
8 Wessex helicopters, to provide a tactical troop lift.
23. Naval Presence. Maritime internal security duties could, if necessary, be undertaken by the Marine Police without the backing of the Naval Patrol craft, although less effectively. The Marine Police cannot deter CPG gun boats or armed junks, which have some right of entry to Colony waters.
These are manned by CPN and militia respectively and, on occasion and in the more remote sea areas, have harassed Marine Police vessels. A deterrent capability is essential in maintaining control. For this purpose there should preferably be both frigate and patrol craft, which complement each other. The frigate reinforces the useful but limited deterrent value of the patrol craft, while the latter can provide a greater and more flexible patrol capability. If a choice had to be made between them, the frigate is to be preferred on military grounds in present circumstances. However, the effect on the public is hard to judge and, if public sentiment turned out to be strongly in favour of the patrol craft, the Hong Kong Government might need to take this into account at a later stage. If patrol craft were finally chosen in preference to the frigate, 4 would be required to maintain one continuously on patrol, and 5 to maintain 2. This would be less expensive than the frigate so long as no replacement costs were included. Operationally, the ideal would be patrol craft better armed than the present ones, although the Working Party was unable to assess the likely additional costs.
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G.F. 316
SECRET 高度機密
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