SECRET
are anticipated in 1987/88.
Reductions in certain categories
of support personnel, such as caterers, should also be possible around the same time.
THE AIR PLAN
CURRENT MILITARY HELICOPTER FORCE
58. Hong Kong's mountainous terrain, its numerous islands, lack of roads in outlying areas and frequent severe congestion on urban roads, are all factors which require military helicopters to provide the essential mobility for the garrison to carry out its IS and anti-II roles and training for limited war. The present Wessex aircraft establishment (AE) is based on the requirement for a simultaneous lift of half an infantry company in an IS situation. A minimum of 6 Wessex are required to meet this commitment. The current strength of 28 Sqn RAF is 8 aircraft ensuring a reasonable probability of providing this lift. For certain other roles (eg. liaison, observation, command and control and air photography) AAC Scouts are more cost-effective, and in some cases better suited, than Wessex. 660 Sqn AAC's AE is 8 aircraft in Hong Kong.
EXPANSION OF HONG KONG GOVERNMENT AIR WING (HKGAW)
59. Between 1989 and about 1992 the HKG plans to expand the HKGAW helicopter force to support Police border control, IS and S&R tasking. By 1993, 10 Dauphin N1 helicopters should be operational; 3 N1 helicopters will be equipped for day/night S&R operations. Once the first 2 Nls are operational (1989), the HKGAW has agreed to undertake some day-to-day military tasking and to earmark 2 helicopters against the garrison's half company IS lift requirement. However, when the RHKP has assumed all the IS and anti-II tasks, including full border responsibility (about 1993), all HKGAW helicopters will be dedicated to Police support. Even if HKGAW helicopters remained available to the garrison after this time, it would be imprudent
27
COS S/184 (2)
SECRET
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.