TNAG-2239-FCO40-3218-Future-of-Hong-Kong-Royal-Navy-presence-1991 — Page 24

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Mr Sawyer, NPDD

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Reference

TIG

COMMITMENTS:

OUT OF AREA DEFENCE COMMITM

1.

2.

Your minute of 2 July refers.

HONG KONG

Existing commitments including Force Deployments:

The Hong Kong Garrison is sizeable. Its main elements are as follows:

Land: 4 battalions (3 Gurkhas, 1 British)

Sea:

3 peacock class patrol vessels

Air: 8 Wessex and 8 Scout helicopters

This involves the following personnel:

3700

5,500 Gurkha soldiers

1,650 1,600 British soldiers

1,180 1,250 Locally Enlisted personnel 2,580 2,750 Locally Enlisted civilians

240 200

310

100 RAF personnel (British)

-500 RN personnel (British)

300 RN Locally Enlisted personnel 140 UK Baved civilians

The costs of the Hong Kong garrison are shared by the Hong Kong Government and the MOD under the 1988 Defence Costs Agreement (DCA). The Hong Kong Government pays 65% of the costs and the MOD 35%.

3.

Changes being proposed by the MOD: A great many changes will be made to the defence of Hong Kong as the garrison is withdrawn in stages between now and 1997. Hong Kong Garrison withdrawal plan ie the proposed timings of the withdrawal of each of the forces, is reviewed biennially by the MOD. The 1991 review of the Withdrawal Plan recommends that the garrison remains "stronger for longer" ie the pace of withdrawal is slower than envisaged. Some proposed withdrawal timings may therefore be put back. If this review is approved by the MOD Chief of Staff the proposed timetable for withdrawal will be as follows:

Land: One battalion will be withdrawn between April and September 1992: this has already been agreed. The 2nd battalion may be withdrawn in 1995 (a firm decision will be made in the 1993 review). The 3rd and 4th battalions (1 Gurkha, 1 British) will be maintained up until late 1996/early 1997, subject to 1995 review. Comment: we and HKG would like to be able to review this in 1993 as well.

Air: The Wessex Helicopter Force Levels will be reviewed in 1993. (Under original plans 2 helicopters were to be withdrawn in 1993). The Scout helicopter force

CODE 18-77:

WINALG

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