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The
lot be rigidly tied to planned battalion withdrawals. major areas of operational interest include the provision of Engineer, Signals, Transport, Supply and Maintenance support. Whilst it is possible to incorporate all support and specialist units in the initial plan, each will require special study once the key elements of the battalion rundown have been agreed.
THE NAVY PLAN
RN HONG KONG SQN PATROL CRAFT (PC)
52.
The RN Hong Kong Sqn currently operates, inter alia, 5 purpose-built Peacock Class PC. Details of the funding, operations, maintenance and roles of these vessels are contained
in Annex E.
HONG KONG MARINE POLICE EXPANSION
53. The MARPOL expansion plan requires the purchase of 2 new sector command (SC) vessels in 1987 and 3 more by 1991. MARPOL do not propose to purchase the RN PC for this purpose but have not yet announced the type of vessel they intend to acquire, although HKG intend that they will be capable of carrying out all the tasks within Hong Kong waters currently undertaken by the RN PC. The HKG intend to provide a Rescue Coordination capability with fixed wing aircraft, helicopters, and SC vessels. In some respects, this is a lesser S&R capability than that currently provided, but it will achieve the level of capability expected of HMG and HKG by international co-ordinating
bodies.
FUTURE OF THE HONG KONG PATROL CRAFT
54. The present force level of 5 PC was agreed between HMG and HKG when there was a clearly defined external threat to Hong Kong; this threat is assessed as inconceivable under present circumstances. A force of 3 PC only is necessary to fulfil the anti-II responsibility and would also satisfy the remaining 2 requirements in parallel. However, withdrawal of 2 PC
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