4A
SECRET
UK EYES A
LOCSEN
land-based, fast-pursuit craft (FPC) capability in early
1988. On this basis, plans were made to withdraw 2 RN PC and 3 Raiding Squadron Royal Marines (3RSRM) in early 1988.
In the event, although the 2 MARPOL SC launches were
operational by early 1988,
delayed the
withdrawal of the first 2 HKPC until July 1988. 3 RSRM was
also withdrawn in July 1988 even though MARPOL had not by
then (and still have not) achieved an operational FPC capability. The programme to enable MARPOL to combat II and smuggling operations conducted by speed boats has therefore slipped. The HKG accepted this MARPOL shortfall because provision had previously been made for the 3 remaining RN
HKPC to have a ship-borne FPC capability, with the FPC crewed by RM personnel on each ship's complement. It is expected that MARPOL will have a land-based FPC capability
by early 1989 but HKG wish the RN to retain the ship-borne
FPCS as long as there are PC in HK waters.
33. Withdrawal of 3 Remaining PC. CDS 7/87 predicated withdrawal of the 3 remaining PC sometime during or after
1991. This timescale was selected on the basis of a
continuing requirement for 3 PC at least until MARPOL had all 5 new SC launches operational and was ready to fulfil the RN's deep water anti-II role (planned for 1991). As at January 1989, HKG maintained that there are no grounds for
concern regarding the timescale for the expansion of the
MARPOL fleet. The HKG stated that they were now able to
deploy 4 SC launches, but that one additional and 2 replacement SC launches still remained to be delivered (timescales not defined). They advised that maintenance support for MARPOL was "the significant problem" but that measures were in hand to address this. Currently, therefore, 1991 remains the planning date for transfer of
the RN's anti-II role to MARPOL. It should be noted,
Redacted under FOI exemption section 27(1)
COS53.4.15
21
LOCSEN UK EYES A
SECRET
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