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| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| 'Busting a gut' for helicopters | 'Busting a gut' for helicopters |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| Defence Minister Bob Ainsworth says he is "busting a gut" to get more helicopters out to Afghanistan. | Defence Minister Bob Ainsworth says he is "busting a gut" to get more helicopters out to Afghanistan. |
| But Mr Ainsworth said it was not possible for "every single commander" to have "every single vehicle". | But Mr Ainsworth said it was not possible for "every single commander" to have "every single vehicle". |
| "It can't be done, but we've got to reach for that," he said. He denied there were any "contradictions" in ministers' viewpoints on the issue. | |
| Yesterday, Gordon Brown reasserted the UK had enough helicopters for an offensive in Helmand province. | |
| Nineteen soldiers have died in Afghanistan this month. | |
| UK forces are currently engaged in a major offensive - known as Operation Panther's Claw - against insurgent strongholds in Helmand. | |
| Complicated machines | |
| Speaking during a visit to HMS Monmouth, which is currently docked in Cardiff Bay, Mr Ainsworth said: "Our military commanders don't plan operations and didn't plan Panther's Claw not knowing exactly what they've got in terms of capability. | |
| "They knew how many helicopters were available for that operation." | |
| "We are busting a gut to get more helicopters out there," he added. | |
| "The Merlin fleet will be out there by December. I was all over it again myself yesterday to make sure it can't be done quicker." | |
| Mr Ainsworth said helicopters were not like family cars, which needed a service once a year. | |
| "There are people who think if we've got 100 helicopters we can put them in Afghanistan," he said. | |
| "They are not Ford Mondeos. They are operating in just about the worst environment inthe world with dust, heat and height. | |
| "They break and they're breaking all the time. Some are fixed in theatre and some come back here." |