TNAG-2239-FCO40-3218-Future-of-Hong-Kong-Royal-Navy-presence-1991 — Page 28

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THE

ABLE TO RESPOND TO DEVELOPMENTS IN A RAPIDLY CHANGING WORLD. SDE REPORTS SUCCESSES IN ARMS CONTROL DURING THE PAST YEAR AND PROSPECTS FOR THE FUTURE. THE DEFENCE BUDGET FOR 1990/91 WAS OVER POUNDS 21 BILLION: THE DEFENCE BUDGET WILL BE OVER POUNDS 24 BILLION IN 1991/92 BECAUSE OF ADDITIONAL COSTS OF OPERATION GRANBY AND ITS

FINALLY, THE EFFECTS ON THE REST OF THE DEFENCE PROGRAMME. DOCUMENT LOOKS AT THE MINISTRY OF DEFENCE'S PROGRAMME TO IMPROVE MANAGEMENT EFFICIENCY AND COST-EFFECTIVENESS.

SUMMARY OF CONTENTS

THE CONTENTS OF VOLUME 1 ARE SUMMARISED BELOW. DIGEST OF DEFENCE-RELATED STATISTICS.

VOLUME 2 IS A

4.

INTRODUCTION

5. THE INTRODUCTION BY THE DEFENCE SECRETARY CONCENTRATES ON THE GULF CRISIS, IMPROVEMENTS IN SECURITY IN EUROPE, AND FURTHER WORK ON FUTURE UNITED KINGDOM AND NATO STRATEGY. MR KING UNDERLINES THAT THE GULF CRISIS SHOWED THE DANGER OF SUDDEN, UNEXPECTED THREATS TO SECURITY. BRITISH FORCES PLAYED A MAJOR PART IN THE REVERSAL OF IRAQ'S AGGRESSION BY AN INTERNATIONAL COALITION ACTING UNDER UN AUSPICES. IN EUROPE SECURITY CONTINUES TO IMPROVE, BUT POTENTIAL FOR INSTABILITY REMAINS, AND THE SOVIET UNION WILL REMAIN BY FAR THE LARGEST MILITARY POWER IN EUROPE. THE GOVERNMENT THEREFORE CONTINUES TO GIVE PRIORITY TO MAINTAINING ARMED FORCES WHICH ARE PROPERLY TRAINED, EQUIPPED AND SUPPORTED. NATO HAS AGREED A FRAMEWORK FOR NEW FORCE STRUCTURES, INCLUDING A NEW ALLIED COMMAND EUROPE RAPID REACTION CORPS TO BE LED BY THE UNITED KINGDOM. BRITISH DEFENCE POLICY WILL ADAPT AS NECESSARY TO FURTHER CHANGE, WE WILL MAINTAIN FORCE STRUCTURES WITH THE FLEXIBILITY AND MOBILITY TO RESPOND TO NEW CIRCUMSTANCES AND WE WILL CONTINUE TO PURSUE VALUE FOR MONEY.

CHAPTER 1

6. CHAPTER 1 DEALS WITH IRAQ'S INVASION AND ATTEMPTED ANNEXATION OF KUWAIT. IT DESCRIBES THE SWIFT REACTION OF THE UNITED NATIONS, AND THE INTERNATIONAL DEPLOYMENT OF FORCES, INCLUDING ROYAL NAVY VESSELS, RAF AIRCRAFT AND 1 (BRITISH) ARMOURED DIVISION AS PART OF OPERATION GRANBY, TO DETER FURTHER IRAQI AGGRESSION, TO ENFORCE THE UN EMBARGO AND TO PERSUADE SADDAM HUSSEIN THAT HE MUST WITHDRAW. ASSISTANCE BY OTHER COUNTRIES WHICH HELPED THE DEPLOYMENT OF BRITISH FORCES IN THE GULF IS DESCRIBED, AND BOXES FOCUS ON THE USE OF RESERVES AND THE SUBSTANTIAL LOGISTICS EFFORT IN OPERATION GRANBY.

2

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