PERMANENT GARRISONS
3 Belize
- Garrison in Belize (then British Honduras) since 1948. Agreed at Independence in 1981 that it would remain for an appropriate period to assist with the external defence of Belize against a potential Guatemalan threat. Role is to deter and, if necessary, defend against possible Guatemala aggression and to support the development of the Belizian Defence Force.
FORCE DEPLOYMENT
1550 strong garrison. Army/RAF HQ plus a roulement infantry battalian group, including a Scorpion reconnaisance troop and 105 mm light gun battery. Engineer Field Squadron; logistics battalion; field hospital; 3 Gazelle helicopters; 4 Harriers; 4 Puma heli- copters; 4 Rapier field control units; radar detachment; engineering and supply squadron.
A Royal Navy gun-equipped frigate or destroyer, designated the West Indies Guardship (WIGS), is kept permanently on station within 8 days steaming of Belize.
Full cost of garrison in 1990/91 was £43m (additional costs of locating in Belize rather than UK estimated at £7.1m).
PROPOSED CHANGES
Belize defence
commitment under review in MOD. FCO/MOD ultimate objective is full with- drawal of garrison after à Belize/Guatemala
negotiated settlement
Financial pressure on MOD may lead them to propose partial with- drawal eg the Harriers in advance of a settlement.
JS4ABV
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