This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/uk_politics/8051207.stm
The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Troops 'left with outdated kit' | Troops 'left with outdated kit' |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| Delays in defence projects have left frontline troops in Afghanistan serving with almost obsolete equipment, a cross-party committee of MPs has found. | Delays in defence projects have left frontline troops in Afghanistan serving with almost obsolete equipment, a cross-party committee of MPs has found. |
| Twenty of the Ministry of Defence's biggest projects are a total of 40 years late, the Public Accounts Committee said in a critical report. | Twenty of the Ministry of Defence's biggest projects are a total of 40 years late, the Public Accounts Committee said in a critical report. |
| Bills rose by more than £200m over the past year making forecast costs £28bn. | |
| Defence Equipment Minister Quentin Davies strongly denied the delays had led to gaps in frontline capability. | Defence Equipment Minister Quentin Davies strongly denied the delays had led to gaps in frontline capability. |
| The delays have meant a 12% increase in the estimated total cost of the projects. | The delays have meant a 12% increase in the estimated total cost of the projects. |
| The committee's chairman, Edward Leigh MP, said there were serious consequences for troops fighting in Afghanistan. | The committee's chairman, Edward Leigh MP, said there were serious consequences for troops fighting in Afghanistan. |
| 'Same old failings' | 'Same old failings' |
| "What lies behind this are the same old failings: including, at the start of projects, both a lack of realism and unjustified optimism about what can be achieved, at what cost and by when. | "What lies behind this are the same old failings: including, at the start of projects, both a lack of realism and unjustified optimism about what can be achieved, at what cost and by when. |
| "Delays to projects have led to gaps in our present front-line capability. | "Delays to projects have led to gaps in our present front-line capability. |
| "For example, the MoD [Ministry of Defence] has had to use in Afghanistan interim vehicles and kit approaching obsolescence." | "For example, the MoD [Ministry of Defence] has had to use in Afghanistan interim vehicles and kit approaching obsolescence." |
| Projects hit by the delays include the Terrier armoured vehicle and the Soothsayer electronic warfare system. | Projects hit by the delays include the Terrier armoured vehicle and the Soothsayer electronic warfare system. |
| BBC Defence Correspondent Caroline Wyatt said one of the most seriously delayed projects is the A400M aircraft. | BBC Defence Correspondent Caroline Wyatt said one of the most seriously delayed projects is the A400M aircraft. |
| This is due to replace the ageing Hercules fleet, which the committee says is now under tremendous pressure in Afghanistan. | This is due to replace the ageing Hercules fleet, which the committee says is now under tremendous pressure in Afghanistan. |