MO 8/15D
CONFIDENTIAL AND PERSONAL
SECRETARY OF STATE
Mr. Baker-Bates, SAFD foradniegt
SCDS
15/M Gard-Jones
PS/POS
Si J Coles Mr. Beamish Mr. Coulder In Smith, NPDD
Sp Adv.
FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH SECRETARY
LTC 91
HMS ENDURANCE
Colleagues will have been aware of recent press reports and Parliamentary interest to the effect that the Ministry of Defence
has been considering the future of HMS ENDURANCE and the need for a
replacement.
2.
HMS ENDURANCE has been in service since 1967. She is deployed
to the South Atlantic for some 5 months each year, of which she
spends 9-12 weeks below 60 degrees south. She is equipped with a
Royal Marine detachment of 13, two Lynx helicopters and a small
calibre gun.
In peacetime, she provides support for the British Antarctic Survey (BAS) (lifting stores and equipment by her
helicopter; and withdrawing BAS scientists in otherwise inaccessible
locations). Her secondary roles include hydrographic survey, aerial photography, and reconnaissance. She also has a capability to carry
out search and rescue, although incidents are comparatively rare. ENDURANCE provides a military presence in support of UK claims of
sovereignty over the British Antarctic Territory. The BAS also operate their own ships and aircraft to support their presence and
scientific work.
3. A number of other countries deploy military vessels in support
of their activities in the Antarctic, often for practical reasons.
These include Argentina and Chile whose claims there overlap with
our own.
While ENDURANCE might be of value in a small dispute in
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