TNAG-1938-FCO40-2764-Future-of-Hong-Kong-defence-and-public-order-1989 — Page 101

SECRET UK EYES A LOCSEN

latter helicopters should be held at unit level as protected, contingency

reserve assets during a 6 months evaluation trial period, to be conducted bet-

ween 31 Mar and 30 Sep 89. The aircraft should be maintained in accordance with

an established servicing schedule and flown only to prove serviceability on a

prescribed basis. The IRR Scouts should be subjected to no-notice generation to

meet specified reaction timescales on several occasions during the 6 month

period. The aims of the trial would be: to determine the feasibility of the IRR

concept; to identify any penalties; and to quantify the extent of manpower and

financial support required. Assuming that the trial indicates that a force level

of 6 UE plus 2 IRRs at unit level is practicable and less expensive in terms of

manpower and financial cost than a UE of 8 Scouts, it is proposed that the

former force level be formally adopted by end 1989. If this is not proven, it

is proposed that the current force level of 8 UE Scouts be reinstated by end

1989, subject to the recommendations of the HQBFHK Helicopter Study Scout Force

level analysis (discussed at paragraph 31) and to amendment of LTC planning

parameters, which will need revision to support either solution.

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29. Wessex and Scout Force Levels Post RHKP Border Take-Over. CDS 7/87

prescribed a minimum availability of a contingency force of 4 Wessex to con-

duct a simultaneous platoon lift after the assumption by the RHKP of respon-

sibility for the whole border, and the majority of the garrison's tasks, in

about 1993. To guarantee this capability a minimum force of 4 AE and 2 IUR

Wessex was approved. In addition, as a minimum, an operational contingency

force of 4 Scouts was also approved by CDS 7/87 for that period following the

transfer of border responsibility until such time as the garrison reduces to its

minimum force level - after which event a contingency force of 3 Scouts is

ROW 113 (HONG)

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SECRET UK EYES A LOCSEN