SECRET UK EYES A
levels the essentially politico-military nature of an OOA operation and its attendant political sensitivity, requires precision and close control. This indicates a growing requirement for SF together with the appropriate means for
their insertion and extraction.
45. Land Force Packages. A fundamental tenet of military intervention is that an operation must take place rapidly, using appropriate force for the minimum possible duration. The current guidelines require a two brigade force, at present 3 Cdo Bde and 5 AB Bde, to be able to be deployed up to 8000 miles and to be sustained in theatre for 6 months, including limited war rates for 30 days. A radius of 8000 miles from
the UK encompasses the most likely areas of involvement, and an OOA operation should in any event aim to achieve a favourable outcome of higher intensity operations within 30 days. However, while the currently earmarked units should continue to form the core of an intervention force, a more viable deterrent would be provided by a larger force. The present NATO assignments of UK SRF militate against their formation into a division (24), but should these change consideration should be given to the inclusion of 1 Inf Bde, creating a force of divisional strength. Any withdrawals of units from the continent as a consequence of CFE might also create an opportunity to form a second echelon 00A, since the flexibility which would be required to enable them to deploy to their NATO GDP positions could facilitate their use in a
reinforcing rôle 00A.
46.
Air Capabilities. To contribute an effective OOA deterrent air forces must be seen to be capable of operating effectively in the relevant area either from the UK, as might be the case with strategic transports or offensive aircraft
24CDS 20/89
Specialist Reinforcment Forces.
24
mb.1s2
UK EYES A SECRET
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.