SECRET
UK EYES A
LOCSEN
to the battalion withdrawals. The initial outline military withdrawal plan, summarised below, is related
diagramatically to the Police expansion plan at Annex A.
a.
once
Army. The Garrison would reduce by one (Gurkha) battalion to 3 resident battalions in about 1992 - 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. CDS 7/87 envisaged a reduction to an establishment of 6 of each type in 1989, as the HKGFSD's capability expanded. CDS 7/87 also envisaged a further reduction to a minimum of 4 Wessex, to mount a simultaneous platoon lift, and 4 (later 3) Scouts for LH duties,
COS53.4-15
6 LOCSEN
UK EYES A
SECRET
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