In the 1990’s we were winding down our presence in Hong Kong in preparation for handover and that doesn’t change even in a V1 timeline with an ongoing Cold War. Maybe there’s scope for the HK Garrison being beefed up after the start of the Sino - Soviet War to bolster security but I don’t see much political desire for additional infrastructure, e.g. Brigade HQ’s. I could see there being one HK based HQ, with maybe another one existing on paper only (26th?). But I think the other one would need an alternative home. Maybe the Sultan of Brunei requests a Brigade rather than a Battalion (and is willing to cover the costs)?
Agreed on the formation of an additional unit in Hong Kong. IIRC the RHKR(V) was under the control of the HK Government (and by extension the Governor?) but there was also the Hong Kong Military Service Corps (HKMSC) which was under Army command and I believe had a Light Infantry Company which could have expanded at the outbreak of the Sino - Soviet War. Plus there’s the Royal Hong Kong Police.
I like the six extra Infantry Battalions. I think it’s proportionate.
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Author of the unofficial and strictly non canon Alternative Survivor’s Guide to the United Kingdom
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