TNAG-1938-FCO40-2764-Future-of-Hong-Kong-defence-and-public-order-1989 — Page 48

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HONG KONG MILITARY HELICOPTER FORCE

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ANNEX B TO

ATTACHMENT TO COSSEC 108/756

DATED 14 APR 89

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS POST THE TAKEOVER OF THE WHOLE BORDER BY THE RHKP IN ABOUT 1993 (1)

1. The following Sovereign Force Hong Kong helicopter force levels are considered the minimum which would be

necessary to support the HKG in a crisis:

Note:

1.

a. Wessex. Once the Hong Kong Police have assumed responsibility for the control of the whole border and taken over the majority of military tasks (about 1993), the military helicopter lift requirement will reduce to a simultaneous platoon lift to meet unforeseen

contingencies.

The platoon is the smallest unit that

may be deployed tactically in Hong Kong's particular circumstances. A Gurkha platoon comprises 34 all ranks

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a HQ of 7 men and 3

organised into 4 elements

sections of 9 men each. A Wessex 2 can carry 8-12 men in fighting order. Since it is particularly important in the Hong Kong environment that the platoon HQ and each section deploy simultaneously as complete units, a minimum of 4 Wessex will be required until final withdrawal.

HQBFHK have advised that the information contained in this Annex (which is extracted from CDS 7/87) is out of date and will be amended by the 1989 HQBFHK - led helicopter study. The information is retained for the record and as a reference for LTC planners - pending MODUK approval of the 1989 helicopter study.

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