SECRET UK EYES A
LOCSEN
the achievement of capabilities by the RHKP. CDS 7/87 stipulated that the phased withdrawal of the battalions should provide the main framework of the plan. All other events, except for the withdrawal of the RN, must be related
to the battalion withdrawals. The initial outline military
withdrawal plan, summarised below, is related
diagramatically to the Police expansion plan at Annex A.
a. Army. The Garrison would reduce by one (Gurkha)
battalion to 3 resident battalions in about 1992 - once
the RHKP have assumed responsibility for half the
border in 1991. It would reduce to 2 resident
battalions after the Police have assumed control of all
the border plus the major part of the garrison's IS, anti-II and special tasks - in 1993; this would permit withdrawal of a second (Gurkha) battalion "not before 1994". The ultimate aim was, in principle, to reduce to a single (UK) battalion as soon as possible in the period 1994-7.
b. Navy. CDS 7/87 saw a requirement for 3 HKPC at least until the introduction into service of MARPOL's
final 3 sector control (SC) launches in 1991 enabled their assumption of RN anti II roles; the last 3 HKPC were therefore planned for withdrawal once MARPOL was considered to be satisfactorily implementing these tasks.
-
C. Helicopter Forces. Currently, the garrison requires the capability to mount a simultaneous helilift of half an infantry company; this calls for 6 Wessex. The garrison's light helicopter (LH) support requirements call for 6 Scouts. To guarantee provision of these helicopters Hong Kong has 8 of each type.
COS49.6-17
6
LOCSEN
UK EYES A
SECRET
Page 15Page 16
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.