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UK troops 'need more helicopters' UK troops 'need more helicopters'
(about 1 hour later)
UK forces fighting the Taleban in Afghanistan need more troop-carrying helicopters to carry out their mission, the leading commander there has said.UK forces fighting the Taleban in Afghanistan need more troop-carrying helicopters to carry out their mission, the leading commander there has said.
Brig Ed Butler requested more Chinook helicopters in response to Prime Minister Tony Blair's offer of whatever extra resources were needed.Brig Ed Butler requested more Chinook helicopters in response to Prime Minister Tony Blair's offer of whatever extra resources were needed.
The existing fleet was "working very hard" and expanding it was a "top priority", Brig Butler added.
Mr Blair praised troops' courage during a "very tough" operation.Mr Blair praised troops' courage during a "very tough" operation.
Shadow Defence Secretary Liam Fox said the army was overstretched, and was already waiting for promised supplies.
Mr Blair's comments came in an interview on British Forces TV and Radio to mark the fifth anniversary of operations in Afghanistan.
He acknowledged that the south of the country, where most troops were based, was still "lawless", and pledged "every support and every protection" for the British force.He acknowledged that the south of the country, where most troops were based, was still "lawless", and pledged "every support and every protection" for the British force.
His comments came in an interview on British Forces TV and Radio to mark the fifth anniversary of operations in Afghanistan.
They are working very hard and there's been some phenomenal flying from the pilots Brig Ed Butler Fact file: ChinookThey are working very hard and there's been some phenomenal flying from the pilots Brig Ed Butler Fact file: Chinook
"Helicopters have always been top of my priority," Brig Butler said in response. In response to Mr Blair's offer of resources, Brig Butler said helicopters had always been his top priority.
"They are working very hard and there's been some phenomenal flying from the pilots in very difficult and dangerous conditions. "They are working very hard and there's been some phenomenal flying from the pilots in very difficult and dangerous conditions," he said.
"If we had more, then clearly we could generate a higher tempo, not just offensive operations but also to crack on with the reconstruction and development," he added. "If we had more, then clearly we could generate a higher tempo, not just offensive operations but also to crack on with the reconstruction and development.
"Clearly, helicopters can't be grown overnight, nor can some of the other machinery so there's a prioritisation that will have to be taken.""Clearly, helicopters can't be grown overnight, nor can some of the other machinery so there's a prioritisation that will have to be taken."
The BBC's correspondent in Kabul, Alistair Leithead, says the question of extra helicopters has been raised again and again - with other Nato units also wanting more.The BBC's correspondent in Kabul, Alistair Leithead, says the question of extra helicopters has been raised again and again - with other Nato units also wanting more.
'Long haul''Long haul'
Meanwhile Kim Howells, the Foreign Office minister with responsibility for Afghanistan, stressed troops were fighting a "fierce battle" and were in the country for "a long haul".Meanwhile Kim Howells, the Foreign Office minister with responsibility for Afghanistan, stressed troops were fighting a "fierce battle" and were in the country for "a long haul".
What our troops are doing in Afghanistan is of fundamental importance not just to the security of our country but [to] global security Prime Minister Tony Blair Blair interviewWhat our troops are doing in Afghanistan is of fundamental importance not just to the security of our country but [to] global security Prime Minister Tony Blair Blair interview
He said that while British commanders felt they had all of the equipment they needed, they would like more support from some other Nato countries which were not "punching their weight".He said that while British commanders felt they had all of the equipment they needed, they would like more support from some other Nato countries which were not "punching their weight".
In September alone, seven soldiers died in Afghanistan as a result of hostile action and 14 died when a RAF Nimrod crashed after a suspected technical fault.In September alone, seven soldiers died in Afghanistan as a result of hostile action and 14 died when a RAF Nimrod crashed after a suspected technical fault.
In all, 40 British soldiers have been killed since September 2001, and there have been high casualties in the past three months.In all, 40 British soldiers have been killed since September 2001, and there have been high casualties in the past three months.
On Sunday, it emerged a Nato soldier had been killed in an attack on a patrol in the southern province of Kandahar. Nato did not reveal the soldier's identity or nationality.
Mr Blair said it was "frustrating" that some people did not recall the circumstances of the original deployment.Mr Blair said it was "frustrating" that some people did not recall the circumstances of the original deployment.
"It came about as a result of 11 September, as a result of the need to drive the Taleban and al-Qaeda out of Afghanistan," he said."It came about as a result of 11 September, as a result of the need to drive the Taleban and al-Qaeda out of Afghanistan," he said.
NATO FORCE IN AFGHANISTAN 31,000 troops now on ground in Afghanistan, including 10,000 coalition troops moved under Nato command37 nations contributing8,000 US-led troops continue training and counter-terrorism separate from Nato force *Contribution figures may differ from exact numbers on the groundNATO FORCE IN AFGHANISTAN 31,000 troops now on ground in Afghanistan, including 10,000 coalition troops moved under Nato command37 nations contributing8,000 US-led troops continue training and counter-terrorism separate from Nato force *Contribution figures may differ from exact numbers on the ground
"If we let Afghanistan be used again as a training ground for the export of terrorism, it turns up on our streets - it harms British citizens.""If we let Afghanistan be used again as a training ground for the export of terrorism, it turns up on our streets - it harms British citizens."
He said: "Let me just make one thing clear: if the commanders on the ground want more equipment, armoured vehicles for example, more helicopters, that will be provided."He said: "Let me just make one thing clear: if the commanders on the ground want more equipment, armoured vehicles for example, more helicopters, that will be provided."
Mr Blair went on to address recent criticism over the lack of dedicated military hospital facilities in the UK.Mr Blair went on to address recent criticism over the lack of dedicated military hospital facilities in the UK.
He said when troops were injured on the battlefield, they were transferred to NHS services because "the specialist care for some of the injuries has to be of the top quality".He said when troops were injured on the battlefield, they were transferred to NHS services because "the specialist care for some of the injuries has to be of the top quality".
The prime minister's comments came as it emerged a Nato soldier had been killed in an attack on a patrol in the southern province of Kandahar. Nato did not reveal the soldier's identity or nationality. Mr Fox said Mr Blair's offer of more help was meaningless.
"When the prime minister says 'whatever they want they will get', it's now several months, for example, since the government promised to fit fuel-retardant foam into all the Hercules aircraft, and yet it hasn't been happening.," he said.
"And when the prime minister says that we will send as many men as our commanders require, where are we going to get them from?"
He added: "Every single battalion of British infantry, except for one, is undermanned at the present time - and the army's already so overstretched that the government is breaking its own guidelines in how often men get deployed."
British command
British troops are mainly based in southern province of Helmand.British troops are mainly based in southern province of Helmand.
Nato has taken charge of the country's eastern provinces, which have been under the control of US forces since the Taleban were ousted five years ago.Nato has taken charge of the country's eastern provinces, which have been under the control of US forces since the Taleban were ousted five years ago.
The alliance's International Security Assistance Force already commands troops in the north, west and south of Afghanistan, as well as Kabul.The alliance's International Security Assistance Force already commands troops in the north, west and south of Afghanistan, as well as Kabul.
It means that some 12,000 US soldiers have now come under the command of the British, led by Gen David Richards.It means that some 12,000 US soldiers have now come under the command of the British, led by Gen David Richards.