t
D/DS6/16/43
AUS(GS)
Copy to: DASD
Head of DS 1
CONFIDENTAL
ENTIAL
HKk Oball
INDEX
17 MAR 1978
SN OFFL
NOR
PA
Head of GF 3
FCO (Hong Kong Dept)
72
ARMY HELICOPTERS: HONG KONG
The Army reserve of Gazelle helicopters has always been small, and additional machines will not become available before mid-1980. Because of attrition through crashes a critical situation over Gazelles has now arisen and DAAC has therefore proposed that the seven in Hong Kong with 656 Sqn AAC should be replaced by an equal number of Scouts during the period from mid-1978 to mid-1980 (and possibly later). This would increase the number of Gazelles available in UK to meet current shortages.
2. Replacement of Gazelles by Scouts would not affect the Hong Kong garrison helicopter or manpower establishments. The running costs of Scouts are marginally less than Gazelles and this saving will more than offset aircrew and other retraining costs. There would be no operational penalty; indeed, the Scout has a larger payload. MOD would meet the full costs of transporting the helicopters to and from Hong Kong.
3. CBF Hong Kong has suggested that this proposal should be cleared with the Hong Kong Government before any decision is taken, because of Defence Cost Agreement considerations. In our view, however, this is not necessary, as the DCA (and its Supporting Statement of Financial Procedures, which lists agreed garrison manning levels) makes no mention of Army helicopters except under the general heading of "such support elements as are necessary to sustain the teeth arm elements"; and there are no financial or manpower implications.
4. FCO (Hong Kong Department) have been consulted informally about this proposal and are content. They also agree that CBFHK should inform the Hong Kong Government as soon as the decision has been taken, explaining the reasons for it, and the operational and other consequences, stressing that it will have no practical effect on the DCA. I attach a draft letter for you to send to CBF requesting that he takes this action. The letter would be sent as soon as we are informed that DASD has given his approval to the changeover, which has the support of the MOD Directorates concerned and of CBF himself.
16th March 1978
મ
M4 Coming
BH COUSINS Head of DS 6
CCONFIDENTIAL "TIAL
Page 15Page 16
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