TNAG-0758-FCO40-962-Strength-of-UK-armed-forces-stationed-in-Hong-Kong-1978 — Page 15

SEC SECRET/LOCSEN

A formal meeting to discuss this conclusion was held in London in September

1978 with Mr Davies, Secretary for Security, Hong Kong Goverment. He confirmed that his Government sought a clear indication of the most suitable craft/equipment

and, assuming their total cost would be about £5M per vessel, that they were

seeking the best, rather than the cheapest, option. He was concerned that the

numbers of craft required should be fully justified (paragraphs 33-41 refer) and

that their maximum sustained speed should not be less than 25 knots. He

agreed a design and build competitive tender action should be undertaken

for the craft, based on the most suitable characteristics of the vessels listed

in paragraph 25 above.

COMMUNICATIONS STUDY

27. The report of the Communications Study was received in April 1978.

A synopsis of the Study is included at Annex D. Its general conclusions were:

a. The ships should be fitted with a system similar to that

of comparable UK based patrol vessels, except that:

(1) long range communications should be restricted

to one HF set.

(2) they have a requirement for a short range net

which will require to work in the difficult local

geography (in terms of communications). The current

net, based on obsolescent in-service equipment

should be replaced by one which is fully secure.

This will also entail some changes to shorebased

equipments.

28. Both CAPIC Hong Kong and Mr Davies accepted the Study conclusions at their

subsequent London meetings.

WEAPONS STUDY

29. A presentation of the Weapons Study was given to representatives from the

Naval Staff in June 1978. A synopsis of the Study is included at Annex E.

The general conclusion was that only two of the equipments investigated would

meet the specified requirement:

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STOR SECRET/LOCSEN

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