1989 Review
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, Chinese procrastination on agreeing the force levels envisaged in CDS 7/87 delayed the withdrawal of the first 2 HKPC until July 1988. 3 RSRM was also withdrawn in July 1988 even though MARPOL had not by then (and still have not) achieved an operational FPC capability.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 1983, KG 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,
COS53.4.15
21 LOCSEN UK EYES A
SECRET
B
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