TNAG-2674-FCO40-3871-Hong-Kong-garrison-withdrawal-plan-1993 — Page 80

DRAFT

SECRET UK EYES A

EOD teams, for use other than in direct support of military operations

after 1994. Military force levels need only reflect those required to

achieve the military mission as defined in the British Forces Hong

Kong (BFHK) concept of operations.

BRITISH FORCES HONG KONG CONCEPT OF OPERATIONS

9. The improving capabilities of the RHKP during 1992 necessitated

a review and revision of the BFHK concept of operations. A new concept

of operations was published in October 1992. This acknowledged that

there was unlikely to be a general IS role for the small in-place

military forces, other than specific tasks such as the protection of

the Garrison estate and dependants, military KPS and the airport. A

force of up to battalion strength might be required to demonstrate

British Sovereignty on the Sino-Hong Kong border in a time of tension

with the PRC and before reinforcement. The concept of

The concept of operations

requires a minimum availability of two battalions: with one committed

to securing the defence estate and key points, and the other being

available for deployment as required within the Territory.

10. The concept of operations requires the availability in-Theatre of

at least two battalions for as long as possible. However, at the end

of 1996, once the task of protecting dependants and a large defence

estate is reduced significantly, force levels could reduce to one

battalion.

7

SECRET UK EYES A

DRAFT