TNAG-0757-FCO40-961-Strength-of-UK-armed-forces-stationed-in-Hong-Kong-1978 — Page 35

ANNEX A to

SECRET

DP_17/78(C)(Preliminary Draft)

Continued

UK CAPABILITY TO UNDERTAKE ADDITIONAL PRIORITY TWO COMMITMENTS IN THE MEDIUM TERH (1978 - 1583)

Naval Forces

47.

ND contribution awaited).

Land Forces

48. The components to permit Army participation in Priority Two

operations would normally be drawn from UK Land Forces (UKLF) and

the RM Commando Forces. Although UKLF has 25 infantry battalions

under command at any one time (including the UK Gurkha battalion

and three armoured reconnaissance regiments), and although there

are 4 Royal Marine Commandos, only two or three units are normally

without specific external duties in any one month (15). The same

units are not normally free of commitment the following month. As

a result, in addition to the Spearhead battalion,UKLF and/or

the Royal Marines are normally able to provide one Lattalion

group for emergency overseas deployment without immediate dis-

ruption to other tasks. However, were that deployment to last

for more than a few weeks the tasks left unfilled would need to

be met by other units. This would require:

Cancelling or curtailing NATO and/or overseas training

exercises.

b. Withdrawing Units from BAOR.

C.

Shorter intervals between operational tours with conseq-

uent increase in overstretch, turbulence and separation.

Note:

15.

DF 13/78 (Final) (To be issued).

A - 27 SECRET