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CONFIDENTIAINIAL
Lieutenant General Sir John Archer KCB OBE Commander British Forces Hong Kong BFPO 1
Ref: D/DS6/16/43
You will have heard from DASD that we are going ahead with
the implementation of the proposal to replace the Gazelles of 656 Sqn AAC with an equal number of Scout helicopters in order
to relieve the critical pressure on Gazelle resources until more
become available in 1980 or thereafter.
As you know, the Army's helicopters are not specifically
mentioned in the DCA, as they were considered to be part of the support elements (although the AAC Sqn manpower is listed among the teeth arm units in Appendix 1 to the Statement of Financial Procedures). In addition, there will be no consequential effect on manning nor any financial repercussions as a result of the changeover. I am also advised that the running costs of the Scouts will be slightly less than the Gazelles and that this should more than cover any retraining costs. We shall pay for the cost of transporting the helicopters to and from Hong Kong.
There is therefore no requirement to obtain the agreement of the Hong Kong Government to our plans but I am sure that you would wish to take an early opportunity to inform them of our decision and that it will have no adverse effects in manpower or financial terms. No doubt you will explain the minor changes in operational
capability which will result.
CONFIDENTIALITIAL
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