SECRE
CLOSURE OF 117 SIGNALS INIT OF THE RAP, TAI MO SHAN
Brief for Minister of State
It is possible that the Hong Kong Government may mention
this subject to you while you are in Hong Kong.
Background
2. The purpose of this radar unit was primarily to provide
intelligence gathering facilities on behalf of both the UK and the
USA. Very much as a sideline, the radars provided surveillance
facilities for the civil airport at Kai Tak.
3. As a result of the Defence Review, it was decided to close
this unit completely and to withdraw all Service personnel.
This would have left the civil aviation authorities in Hong Kong
without long range radar cover for Kai Tak until a new civil
radar is delivered in some 2 to 24 years time. MOD was
therefore pressed by the Hong Kong Covernment to keep the Tai Mo
Shan radar in operation during this period.
4.
Because the continued operation of this radar serves no
direct UK or US purpose, we resisted this. The solution ultimately
adopted was that the RAF should continue to operate the radar
until 1 April 1976, the cost of this operation being reimbursed
by the Hong Kong Government. The intention behind this arrangement
was that in the meantime the Hong Kong Government would arrange
a contract direct with Cable and Wireless Ltd to operate the radar
after 1 April 76. It would have taken the firm six months to
recruit and train personnel to maintain the equipment.
5. The continued operation of the Tai Mo Shan radar is
dependent upon the US being prepared to provide spare parts and
maintenance since the radar is of US origin and obsolescent
In addition to its value for civil aviation purposes, the radar
does provide assistance to the USAF 13th Air Force based in
Manilla for reconnaissance flights,this assistance is not in
VSSURET
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/itself
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