TNAG-1938-FCO40-2764-Future-of-Hong-Kong-defence-and-public-order-1989 — Page 41

SECRET UK EYES A

LOCSEN

Garrison's IS, anti-II and special tasks

-

w

for planning purposes not before 1994. The remaining 2 battalions will

further reduce - subject to stable and secure conditions

to a single UK battalion group as soon as possible during

the period 1994-7. Formal notification is still awaited

from the HKG endorsing the Governor's stated view that two resident battalions will be required until the final

handover on 30 June 1997. The size and scale of Army supporting arms and services is to be directly related to the roles and operational requirements of the remaining garrison at all stages during the rundown.

48. Navy. The RN's tasks will be assumed gradually by MARPOL. There is at present no cause to change the judgement in CDS 7/87 that there would be a continuing requirement for 3 PC to remain operational in Hong Kong waters at least until MARPOL's second batch of 3 improved capability SC vessels have assumed resonsibility for the RN's anti-II role - forecast as not before 1991. Subject to the development of HKG's own services and facilities, RN diving, recompression and underwater EOD teams are unlikely to be withdrawn before 1992/3; HQBFHK is to determine with HKG during 1989, a timescale for the transfer of the RN's

underwater roles to MARPOL.

49. RAF and AAC. The current requirement to undertake a simultaneous helilift of half an infantry company calls for a force of 6 Wessex. The light helicopter force for the present garrison requires 6 Scouts. 28 Sqn RAF and 660 Sqn AAC both have an AE of 8 aircraft. Subject to approval by COS in April 1989, Wessex force levels are planned to reduce to 6 AE and 2 IUR aircraft, and the Sqn establishment will be reduced appropriately, by end-1989. 660 Sqn AAC will retain aircraft and manpower to support a Scout force

COS49.6-17

32 LOCSEN

UK EYES A

SECRET