SECRET UK EYES A
LOCSEN
could appear sensible to delay the run down of the Wessex force until about 1990, by which time the HKGFSD should be ready to provide helicopter support to the Garrison. However, 28 Sqn has been unable to fly its authorised flying task during the past year and the task has therefore been reduced. For normal day-to-day tasking in Hong Kong, 6 Wessex is considered an adequate force. If the Wessex force is reduced to 6 AE plus 2 in use reserves (IURS), it is judged that it should always be possible to generate 6 serviceable Wessex when and if a contingency should arise. The Wessex force should therefore be reduced to 6 AE and 2 IUR in 1989, in accordance with the existing CDS 7/87 planning timescale.
27.
-
is
Scout Planning. The operational requirement for Scout helicopters in Hong Kong as for Wessex helicopters based on countering the threat of spontaneous violence, which may occur at short notice. If an internal security threat is not quickly controlled, the garrison must be able to demonstrate intent to challenge Chinese intervention. CBF's Concept of Operations provides for the execution of both roles simultaneously. At this time the minimum force level of Scout helicopters required to provide operational support in a contingency situation for the parallel conduct of both roles is 6 aircraft, employed on the tasks listed at Annex E. Due to the requirement to conduct all roles simultaneously, at short notice and for extended periods, MODUK Supports CBFHK's judgement that the availability of a minimum contingency force of 6 Scouts should be vouchsafed until the RHKP has assumed responsibility for the whole border and the majority of the garrison's tasks in about 1993. Subsequent further reductions will be dependent on the ability of the HKGFSD to assume a proportion of the Scout force's operational contingency tasks at the particular timescale under consideraton. HQBF Hong Kong
COS53.4-15
17 LOCSEN
UK EYES A
SECRET
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