TNAG-1941-FCO40-2767-Future-of-Hong-Kong-defence-and-public-order-1989 — Page 108

SECRET UK EYES A

Reinforcement and intervention operations must include the ability to insert the land force by both sea and air. This means that both airborne and amphibious forces may be required in order to secure an airhead or a port. Such forces must

themselves be capable of rapid reinforcement and be logistically sustainable. An effective level of deterrence

requires a high degree of readiness for the land force which could only be effectively manned by well trained regular troops. The force will require a level of ground and air mobility and self-sufficiency in order for it to remain flexible in its deployment and re-deployment options once committed. The limitations of strategic mobility may mean that the intervention force may have to rely on locally arranged transport and tactical airlift although there will continue to be a need for the provision of light armoured vehicles for the important tasks of reconnaissance and fire support. Flexibility also demands a high degree of compatibility of equipment with that of major potential allies and the necessary inter-service interoperability of C31 systems. The ability to deploy armoured forces will be

limited by the strategic lift available. The effectiveness of

the intervention force against an enemy which may well be both mechanized and equipped with relatively well protected tanks will increasingly depend on the use of advanced long range weapons systems and their associated surveillance and target acquisition systems. There will be an increasing need for multi-rôle platforms such as helicopters, particularly if a long range anti-tank capability is needed. If operating without allied support the British forces would probably be outnumbered placing great importance on the level of individual skills supported by the right level of firepower and logistic support. The force would be required to operate day and night and possibly in a hostile CBW environment and must therefore be equipped with adequate protective equipment, the use of which will affect the tempo of operations. At all

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UK EYES A SECRET