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MoD investigates 'friendly fire' MoD investigates 'friendly fire'
(20 minutes later)
The Ministry of Defence is trying to find out why an Army helicopter accidentally fired on UK paratroops in Afghanistan, wounding nine.The Ministry of Defence is trying to find out why an Army helicopter accidentally fired on UK paratroops in Afghanistan, wounding nine.
The Apache attack helicopter was called in by ground troops battling with Taleban fighters, and it successfully engaged the insurgents a first time.The Apache attack helicopter was called in by ground troops battling with Taleban fighters, and it successfully engaged the insurgents a first time.
But in a second attack, a British position was mistaken for the enemy, and three soldiers were seriously hurt.But in a second attack, a British position was mistaken for the enemy, and three soldiers were seriously hurt.
It is the first "friendly fire" by UK air support on its own in Afghanistan.It is the first "friendly fire" by UK air support on its own in Afghanistan.
Six of the wounded have returned to duty. Two are stable in a field hospital. One is being flown back to the UK for treatment.Six of the wounded have returned to duty. Two are stable in a field hospital. One is being flown back to the UK for treatment.
When you've got eyeball to eyeball, the technology is not going to help you as much as you hoped Charles HeymanArmed Forces Factfile: AH-64 Apache When you've got eyeball to eyeball, the technology is not going to help you as much as you hoped Charles HeymanArmed Forces Factfile: AH-64 Apache
The soldiers from the 2nd Battalion of the Parachute Regiment - 2 Para - were on a routine foot patrol near the British forward operating base Gibraltar in the Helmand River Valley when they encountered Taleban fighters.The soldiers from the 2nd Battalion of the Parachute Regiment - 2 Para - were on a routine foot patrol near the British forward operating base Gibraltar in the Helmand River Valley when they encountered Taleban fighters.
They called in air support from the Army's Apache helicopter, which successfully fired on a Taleban position.They called in air support from the Army's Apache helicopter, which successfully fired on a Taleban position.
But then in the confusion of what the MoD termed a "rapidly-changing situation", it fired again on another position, which the crew believed was held by the enemy.But then in the confusion of what the MoD termed a "rapidly-changing situation", it fired again on another position, which the crew believed was held by the enemy.
An investigation is now under way into the incident.An investigation is now under way into the incident.
FROM THE TODAY PROGRAMME More from Today programmeFROM THE TODAY PROGRAMME More from Today programme
The BBC's Alistair Leithead in Kabul said the Apache was routinely relied on by ground troops to get them out of danger or finish off an engagement with insurgents.The BBC's Alistair Leithead in Kabul said the Apache was routinely relied on by ground troops to get them out of danger or finish off an engagement with insurgents.
Fast jets like Harriers or American aircraft are also used, but the Apache is heavily armed and favoured for its excellent optics.Fast jets like Harriers or American aircraft are also used, but the Apache is heavily armed and favoured for its excellent optics.
Considering the reliance ground troops have on them, Alistair Leithead said, it was "almost surprising this doesn't happen more often in the confusion of battle".Considering the reliance ground troops have on them, Alistair Leithead said, it was "almost surprising this doesn't happen more often in the confusion of battle".
Charles Heyman, director of defence suppliers Armed Forces said there was technology to differentiate between friend and foe.Charles Heyman, director of defence suppliers Armed Forces said there was technology to differentiate between friend and foe.
However, he said: "It is possible that the Taleban and the British soldiers were very, very close together."However, he said: "It is possible that the Taleban and the British soldiers were very, very close together."
"When you've got eyeball to eyeball, the technology is not going to help you as much as you hoped.""When you've got eyeball to eyeball, the technology is not going to help you as much as you hoped."
The incident is the first reported occurrence in Afghanistan of "friendly fire" involving only UK troops, although allied forces have previously hit each other's troops during the conflict.
In August last year, three soldiers from 1st Battalion The Royal Anglian Regiment were killed when US fighter planes dropped a 500lb (225kg) bomb on them.
In December 2006, marine Jonathan Wigley died in an apparent attack by the US in Helmand province.
In April 2002, an American F-16 fighter jet dropped a laser-guided 500lb (225kg) bomb near Kandahar, accidentally killing four Canadian soldiers and injuring eight others.