TNAG-1938-FCO40-2764-Future-of-Hong-Kong-defence-and-public-order-1989 — Page 28

SECRET UK EYES A

LOCSEN

plan to reduce the Scout force level to 6 UE. It is recognised that re-instatement of additional funding for a force of 8 UE would necessarily be at the expense of other projects. It is therefore proposed that the Scout force

level should reduce to 6 UE and 2 IRR aircraft; the latter

helicopters should be held at unit level as protected,

contingency reserve assets during a 6 months evaluation

trial period, to be conducted between 1 May and

30 October 1989. 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.

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 conduct a simultaneous platoon lift - after the assumption by the RHKP of

-

responsibility for the whole border, and the majority of the

COS49.6-17

19 LOCSEN

UK EYES A

SECRET