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PM challenged in helicopter row UK troops 'need more helicopters'
(about 3 hours later)
The prime minister's assertion that a lack of helicopters has not cost lives in Afghanistan is to be challenged by an influential MPs' committee. A lack of helicopters is undermining UK forces' operations and troop protection in Afghanistan, according to an influential committee of MPs.
The Ministry of Defence should increase the number of helicopters and the training of crews, a defence select committee report will say. Prime Minister Gordon Brown has said a shortage of the craft has not cost lives, despite rising casualties.
The report will also warn the government not to delay decisions on acquiring further helicopters. But the Commons defence select committee says commanders "have to use ground transport" - with worrying effects on protection of personnel.
It says the government should buy new craft, rather than revamping old ones.
Amid rising UK casualties, critics have claimed troops are ill-equipped.Amid rising UK casualties, critics have claimed troops are ill-equipped.
BBC political correspondent Carole Walker says the report, which is due to be released later on Thursday, will express concern that operational commanders in Afghanistan have to use ground transport. Chairman of the cross-party committee, James Arbuthnot, said: "Operational commanders in the field today are unable to undertake potentially valuable operations because of the lack of helicopters for transportation around the theatre of operations.
It says helicopter lift would be preferable in terms of the outcome and the protection of our forces. Frank Gardner, BBC security correspondent
Warning This report will certainly be unwelcome news for the government but it stops short of explicitly saying servicemen are dying in Afghanistan through a lack of helicopters.
The report will warn that a reduction in medium and heavy lift helicopters will make the situation worse. It does, though, level a number of serious criticisms which could only be addressed by spending a lot more money.
Gordon Brown: 'Helicopters have got to be adapted for the terrain in Afghanistan' The cross-party committee of MPs that wrote it are rightly reluctant to get drawn into party politics over this issue.
The report has been brought forward in time for the Commons debate on Afghanistan later and is due to be published towards the end of the prime minister's appearance before a committee of senior MPs. But their most important finding - that operational commanders in the field are unable to undertake potentially valuable operations because of the lack of helicopters - will likely be seized upon by the government's critics.
On Wednesday Mr Brown said it was "absolutely clear" the heavy loss of life in recent weeks was not due to a lack of helicopters. Beyond Westminster, what the public are most likely to remember from this row is the fact that the head of the Army, General Sir Richard Dannatt, admitted to travelling round Afghanistan in an American helicopter because no British one was available. class="" href="/2/hi/uk_news/8148174.stm">Helicopters 'are no magic wand'
"We are also concerned that operational commanders find they have to use ground transport, when helicopter lift would be preferred, both for the outcome and for the protection of our forces."
The government currently plans to extend the lives of ageing Sea King and Puma helicopters.
But the committee says this is not the best solution operationally or in terms of value for money and that buying new helicopters is a better option.
"The Ministry of Defence should seize the opportunity to recognise the importance of helicopters to current and contingent operations, and work towards strengthening all aspects of capability," Mr Arbuthnot added.
The report had been brought forward in time for the Commons debate on Afghanistan later.
On Wednesday, Mr Brown said it was "absolutely clear" the heavy loss of life in recent weeks was not due to a lack of helicopters.
But Tory leader David Cameron called for more urgent action and criticised "lofty and vague" war aims.But Tory leader David Cameron called for more urgent action and criticised "lofty and vague" war aims.
The outgoing head of the British Army General Sir Richard Dannatt indicated this week that the military was struggling with a helicopter shortage.
Asked why he had been flown around in an American Black Hawk helicopter, he said it was because he did not have a British one.
"There is a pool and we share the assets, but we have got to put as much into the pool as we take out," he said.
More troops
He also told the BBC more troops were needed in Helmand to provide security.
"I have said before, we can have effect where we have boots on the ground," he said.
"I don't mind whether the feet in those boots are British, American or Afghan, but we need more to have the persistent effect to give the people (of Helmand) confidence in us."
An offensive designed to increase security ahead of Afghan elections next month has seen a big increase in UK casualties, with 15 servicemen killed in the first 10 days of the month.An offensive designed to increase security ahead of Afghan elections next month has seen a big increase in UK casualties, with 15 servicemen killed in the first 10 days of the month.
It means 184 service personnel have now died in Afghanistan since 2001, more than the 179 who were killed during the war in Iraq. It means 184 service personnel have now died in Afghanistan since 2001, more than the 179 who were killed during the war in Iraq