TNAG-1638-FCO40-2282-Future-of-Hong-Kong-withdrawal-of-the-British-garrison-1987 — Page 36

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OPTIONS

WITHDRAWAL SEQUENCE

50.

Given that the final 'Sovereign Force Hong Kong' will comprise either 2 battalions, or a single battalion group (situation dependent), plus a reserve battalion in Brunei and given that the final presence should be a UK unit possible withdrawal sequence options are as follows:

a.

Option One.

―

the

The UK and a Gurkha battalion would be

the first and second to be withdrawn, in whatever order, leaving two Gurkha battalions. One of these would be replaced near the end by an unaccompanied UK roulement battalion, which would then be the last to leave.

b. Option Two. As in Option One, but with no UK roulement battalion, thus leaving 2 (or one) Gurkha battalion(s) at the end. A token UK presence could be maintained at the end by retaining or bringing back a UK

company.

C.

Option Three. Gurkha battalions would be the first and second to be withdrawn, leaving a Gurkha and a UK battalion with the intention of reducing to a final presence comprising the UK battalion group only. Both the Gurkha and UK battalions would ultimately have to be unaccompanied and some relocations would be necessary.

Options One and Two have the advantages of avoiding both the cost of relocating the UK battalion and of maintaining a succession of roulement battalions. However, both options assume that the PRCG would accept a break in the continuity of the UK military presence which they might not - and could be affected by decisions relating to the future of the Bde of Gurkhas. Option Three is considered to provide the best basis for ensuring an efficient and effective military presence.

ARMY SUPPORT UNITS

51. The rundown of Army supporting arms and services (a full list

of garrison units is at Annex D) should be linked - but need

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