TNAG-1939-FCO40-2765-Future-of-Hong-Kong-defence-and-public-order-1989 — Page 29

SECRET UK EYES A

LOCSEN

C

have indicated their willingness to accept the CDS 7/87 decision - now incorporated in LTC assumptions that the reduction of Scout helicopters from 8 UE to 6 UE should be implemented as planned in 1989, provided that the 2 aircraft withdrawn are retained in Hong Kong as reserves. A number of options for management of this force of 8 helicopters have been reviewed with the aim of preventing deterioration and ensuring the contingency availability of the 2 spare aircraft. MOD Army's preliminary recommendation was that the force should remain at a unit establishment (UE) of 8 aircraft as Director Army Air Corps (DAAC) does not support the retention of IUR aircraft at unit level without the provision of properly established funding and manpower.

28. Scout Immediate Readiness Reserve (IRR) Trial. Currently, however, LTC provision is based on the CDS 7/87 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

COS53.4.15

18 LOCSEN

UK EYES A

SECRET