Summary
Various media outlets have given an analysis of the Government-wide spending cuts announced yesterday, which highlight the Defence Budget has been 'ring-fenced'. There has been widespread coverage of the newly-upgraded Lynx Mk9A helicopters which have been sent to the front line in Afghanistan to increase fire power.
BBC Panorama programme
Several national newspapers have reported on the BBC's Panorama programme, 'A Very British Hero', which was broadcast yesterday evening. The programme paid tribute to Staff Sergeant Olaf Schmid GC, a high threat ammunition technical officer who was killed in Afghanistan in October 2009. It also explored the pressures that explosive ordnance disposal specialists face undertaking their vital work in Afghanistan.
Presented by SSgt Schmid's widow, Mrs Christina Schmid, the programme featured interviews with serving counter-improvised explosive device personnel, including the Principal Ammunition Technical Officer, Colonel Bob Seddon. The making of the programme was supported by the Ministry of Defence, through access to military premises and the facilitation of interviews with Service personnel.
The programme made reference to the fact that several weeks ago, since conducting his interview with the BBC, Col Seddon tendered his resignation and will leave the Army in January 2011.
Responding to issues raised in the programme and in media coverage surrounding its broadcast, Major General Chris Deverell, Director General Logistics, Support and Equipment, said: "Improvised explosive devices continue to pose a serious danger to our troops in Afghanistan and countering this dynamic threat is one of our highest priorities; advanced explosive ordnance disposal operators play a key role in this battle. We continue to meet the operational demand for these highly skilled professionals, and have doubled the number of them in theatre in the last year.
"As you would expect, we are also growing additional capability by widening our eligibility criteria to include all Service personnel - Army, Royal Navy and Royal Air Force - and by offering new financial incentives. We have also increased the number of training places and redesigned the training course to meet the theatre-specific demands of Afghanistan."
Defence Secretary Dr Liam Fox said: "Countering the IED threat faced by our forces in Afghanistan is a top priority for the new Government. There are real challenges; the threat does not stand still and nor does our response. I will make sure that everything possible is done to ensure that our Forces have what they need to deal with this indiscriminate threat. They deserve nothing less. As I have seen during my visits they are doing fantastic work in Afghanistan in support of the UK's national security."
Weapons in theatre
An article in The Times suggests that British Armed Forces are being outgunned by the Taliban in Afghanistan. Our troops in Afghanistan are provided with a range of weapons they can use when fighting the Taliban. They primarily use 5.56mm rounds fired from the world-class SA80 A2 assault rifles and these have great power and accuracy. For longer-range fire fights with the enemy, troops can use the general purpose machine gun, grenade machine gun, light machine gun and soon the new highly precise, long-range sharpshooter rifle, which use a range of ammunition. By issuing a range of weapons, we ensure our troops have the best possible and most flexible mix to meet the variety of combat situations demanded of them.
New Lynx helicopters boost air support in Afghanistan
Various media outlets have reported on the upgraded Army Lynx Mk9A helicopters which have arrived for use in Afghanistan after being shipped from the UK. The Lynx Mk9As, with their increased fire power, more powerful engines, and the ability to operate all year in the harsh 'hot and high' Afghan environment, have increased the total number of flying hours available to commanders. Click here to read more.
