CONFIDENTIAL
OUT OF AREA DEFENCE COMMITMENTS
INTRODUCTION
JS3AAW
1.
The obligation to defend our fourteen dependent territories is
central to our commitments beyond the NATO area. We remain responsible for the defence of 14 dependent territories, ranging
from Hong Kong to Pitcairn Island, as well as the Sovereign Base
Areas of Cyprus. In addition, we have agreements with a number of
former colonies and Gulf states as well as an ultimate
responsibility for the safety of British citizens resident abroad. These obligations have been recognised in successive Defence
statements, eg
2.
"We still have important interests to protect beyond the NATO
area, in defence of which our forces are deployed throughout
the world. We have continuing obligations to defend our 14 remaining dependent territories" (British Defence Policy
1989-90).
The most visible form of our Out of Area (OOA) commitments are
the garrisons we maintain in Belize, the Falklands, Gibraltar and Hong Kong. A Gurkha battalion is based in Brunei, at the request of the Sultan. These and other interests are supported by ships of the Royal Navy principally the West Indies Guardship, the Hong Kong Patrol Craft, HMS Endurance (Antarctica) and the Armilla Patrol (Gulf). Our obligations under the Five Power Defence Arrangements (South East Asia) are fulfilled by all three Services.
3.
Contingency plans are maintained to deploy forces to assist those dependent territories without garrisons, chiefly in the Caribbean area. These plans envisage use of troops airlifted from the UK as well as elements already present in the area.
4. There is a regular programme of exercises, deployments and training, military assistance overseas. We also contribute to international peacekeeping, eg UNFICYP and MFO Sinai.
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