Afghanistan helicopter row refuses to die down
Government rejected three opportunities to procure American-made Black Hawk helicopters
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Sunday, 19, Jul 2009 11:02
The government's insistence British troops have the equipment and resources they need in Afghanistan is under renewed threat from reports it turned down several favourable deals to procure new helicopter fleets.
Separate reports in two Sunday newspapers claim the government rejected the chance to:
- Buy 60 Black Hawk helicopters from US manufacturer Sikorsky for £480 million in 2007, half of which would have been delivered by the end of this year (Observer)
- Buy 12 Black Hawks to be delivered between 2011 and 2012 (Observer)
- Buy five Black Hawks in 2010, 13 in 2011 and 42 in 2012 (Observer)
- Buy a dozen SA 330 Puma transport helicopters from United Arab Emirates at a cut-price £6 million each (Sunday Telegraph)
The claims come after a spike in the number of UK military deaths in the war against the Taliban, attributed by the government to an escalation of operations ahead of Afghan presidential elections in August, but by critics and the opposition to a lack of helicopters.
General Sir Richard Dannatt, chief of the general staff, claimed earlier this month he was forced to use an American Black Hawk on a visit to Afghanistan due to a shortage of UK helicopters, while the Commons defence committee said a lack of helicopters was "undermining" British operations in the country.
According to the Observer, defence equipment minister Quentin Davies opted to pursue the refit of Britain's ageing Puma fleet - a decision criticised by MPs - rather than the Sikorsky offer.
Writing in the Sunday Telegraph today, former defence secretary John Hutton said UK troops were "unequivocal" on their need for more resources.
"It is clear we need more logistical support to reduce the risk of as much of the troop movements and supply effort as possible," he said in his first public comments on the issue since leaving government last month.
"This review of British troop levels cannot wait until October, as has been suggested."