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Fresh claims of Afghan shortages Fresh claims of Afghan shortages
(about 2 hours later)
The government is facing fresh claims that British troops in Afghanistan are facing shortages of vital equipment.The government is facing fresh claims that British troops in Afghanistan are facing shortages of vital equipment.
A Royal Marine sergeant has complained his men do not have enough ammunition and specialist equipment, and are using inappropriate vehicles. Sgt Stephen Brown of the Royal Marines has complained his men do not have enough ammunition and equipment, and have to use inappropriate vehicles.
Sergeant Stephen Brown commands the Royal Marine unit which included Marine Gary Wright, who was killed by a suicide bomber in Helmand last month. But senior officers insist there is enough equipment to do the job.
Senior officers insist there is enough equipment to do the job. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Defence's biggest purchases will be delivered almost three years late on average, says the National Audit Office (NAO).
Marine Wright, 21, died while on patrol in a Land Rover and a sergeant with him was injured. But its report said yearly increases to delays had "slowed" and that the MoD had recognised the "need to tighten its control of costs".
Sergeant Brown said that among the shortages faced by troops were heavy vehicles, such as 'Wimiks' - which are stripped down and heavily armed Land Rovers. The NAO looked at orders for equipment such as air-to-air missiles, armoured vehicles, radios and submarines.
Countless times we have put in requests for what we need extra, and it has not arrived Sergeant Stephen Brown Royal Marines Defence deals 'years late' RAF fleet 'out of date'Countless times we have put in requests for what we need extra, and it has not arrived Sergeant Stephen Brown Royal Marines Defence deals 'years late' RAF fleet 'out of date'
The complaint from Sgt Brown comes week after a Marine in his unit, Gary Wright, who was killed by a suicide bomber in Helmand.
Marine Wright, 21, died while on patrol in a Land Rover and a sergeant with him was injured.
Sgt Brown said that among the shortages faced by troops were heavy vehicles, such as "Wimiks", which are stripped down and heavily armed Land Rovers.
He said while a heavier vehicle might not have prevented Marine Wright's death, it might have prevented the injuries to the sergeant.He said while a heavier vehicle might not have prevented Marine Wright's death, it might have prevented the injuries to the sergeant.
"We need different vehicles and more weaponry," he told reporters in Lashkar Gah, Helmand Province."We need different vehicles and more weaponry," he told reporters in Lashkar Gah, Helmand Province.
"Everything could be improved. It's the lack of kit that needs to be addressed. Countless times we have put in requests for what we need extra, and it has not arrived.""Everything could be improved. It's the lack of kit that needs to be addressed. Countless times we have put in requests for what we need extra, and it has not arrived."
GrenadesGrenades
He said his men did not have enough thermal imaging sights, which register body heat and which would show a suicide bomber's explosives against his body.He said his men did not have enough thermal imaging sights, which register body heat and which would show a suicide bomber's explosives against his body.
"These units will save people's lives," he said."These units will save people's lives," he said.
"They allow you to look at the potential threat and see him coming, but having to pass them around by hand and pick up your weapon - by that time he's on top of you.""They allow you to look at the potential threat and see him coming, but having to pass them around by hand and pick up your weapon - by that time he's on top of you."
Sergeant Brown also said they were also short of grenades launched from rifles. Sgt Brown also said they were short of grenades launched from rifles.
The commander's view is that he has enough kit to carry out the mission he has been tasked to do Lt Col Andy Price
But Lieutenant Colonel Andy Price, of the Royal Marines, said there were enough grenades available and added heavy vehicles were inappropriate to patrol in narrow streets in built-up areas.But Lieutenant Colonel Andy Price, of the Royal Marines, said there were enough grenades available and added heavy vehicles were inappropriate to patrol in narrow streets in built-up areas.
He said: "Every commander would love to have infinite resources but we are realistic.He said: "Every commander would love to have infinite resources but we are realistic.
"If we ask for 30 more Wimiks there's only one place they are going to come from in the short term and that's Iraq."If we ask for 30 more Wimiks there's only one place they are going to come from in the short term and that's Iraq.
"We don't want to take kit away from them. What we ask for has to be something essential."We don't want to take kit away from them. What we ask for has to be something essential.
"The commander's view is that he has enough kit to carry out the mission he has been tasked to do.""The commander's view is that he has enough kit to carry out the mission he has been tasked to do."
In a separate development, the RAF has denies claims that some aircraft urgently need replacing.
Armed forces sources told the BBC some VC10s and Tristars were more than 40 years old and were prone to breaking down.
But Air Vice Marshall Iain McNicoll said he was content the RAF's air transport fleet was safe.