TNAG-0758-FCO40-962-Strength-of-UK-armed-forces-stationed-in-Hong-Kong-1978 — Page 109

ICU

FIDENI

5.

18.

(b)

its fire power out-matches Shanghai class gunboats and is a good match for other Chinese vessels except those fitted with missiles;

it has ocean going sea-keeping ability;

it can lift two companies and can provide a landing party for operations on isolated.islands;

it has a small diving team;'

it can provide SAR and aid to the civil power at all times and especially in the wake of a natural disaster;

Frigate Disadvantages

The main disadvantages are:

it is too large to employ easily or economically on operational patrols within the square boundary;

it cannot easily go along side junks and other local vessels and therefore provides limited direct assistance to the Marine Police;

it is very vulnerable;

there are certain limited parts of Hong Kong waters which it cannot reach due to its draft;

for 17 weeks of the year, because of maintenance and weapon training, it would not be available (and there would then be no R. N. vessel available);

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it carries a relatively large (U. K. and therefore expensive) complement for only two medium-range guns and in the case of replacement Mermaid whose guns are of a slightly smaller calibre than the Chichester's these must be visually aimed. In other words, the Mermaid cannot give N. G. S. to the Army and cannot fire at night;

it can only be in one place at one time;

it is more expensive than 5 patrol craft;

after a typhoon it is up to 12 hours steaming from Hong Kong.

G.F. 316

CONY ENTIAL

/ If