Post by Frenchie on Jul 14, 2009 14:45:32 GMT 1
On its front page today, The Times reports that the Government has sent 'only' 700 extra troops to Afghanistan when military chiefs requested an additional 2,000.
The reinforcement of 700 troops is providing a crucial boost to UK forces in Afghanistan, enabling us to provide extra security over the Afghan election period and enhancing our ability to counter the threat from improvised explosive devices (IEDs).
As ever, this commitment is constantly being reviewed and we will not hesitate to make adjustments to the force size if required. But we should not lose sight of the fact that the UK is already providing more than twice as many troops to the mission than any other coalition member, the US aside.
And we have been operating in the most challenging province in Afghanistan. As the Chief of the Defence Staff said, the Taliban have rightly identified Helmand as their vital ground. If they lose there then they lose everywhere and that is why they are throwing everything they have into it.
In addition to personnel reinforcements, Merlin support helicopters from 78 Squadron, Royal Air Force, are being prepared for service in Afghanistan and, on current plans, will be available to deploy by late 2009.
We are also increasing the number of tactical unmanned aerial vehicles, deploying Sea King air surveillance and control helicopters and the new airborne stand-off radar. These complementary systems use radar to track movements on the ground and can help our forces to detect, follow and intercept insurgents before they can lay IEDs.
Source: MoD Web Site News
The reinforcement of 700 troops is providing a crucial boost to UK forces in Afghanistan, enabling us to provide extra security over the Afghan election period and enhancing our ability to counter the threat from improvised explosive devices (IEDs).
As ever, this commitment is constantly being reviewed and we will not hesitate to make adjustments to the force size if required. But we should not lose sight of the fact that the UK is already providing more than twice as many troops to the mission than any other coalition member, the US aside.
And we have been operating in the most challenging province in Afghanistan. As the Chief of the Defence Staff said, the Taliban have rightly identified Helmand as their vital ground. If they lose there then they lose everywhere and that is why they are throwing everything they have into it.
In addition to personnel reinforcements, Merlin support helicopters from 78 Squadron, Royal Air Force, are being prepared for service in Afghanistan and, on current plans, will be available to deploy by late 2009.
We are also increasing the number of tactical unmanned aerial vehicles, deploying Sea King air surveillance and control helicopters and the new airborne stand-off radar. These complementary systems use radar to track movements on the ground and can help our forces to detect, follow and intercept insurgents before they can lay IEDs.
Source: MoD Web Site News