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Withdraw Land Rovers, Browne told Withdraw Land Rovers, Browne told
(about 6 hours later)
Defence Secretary Des Browne is to meet families of soldiers killed in Snatch Land Rovers in Iraq and Afghanistan.Defence Secretary Des Browne is to meet families of soldiers killed in Snatch Land Rovers in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Critics say the vehicles - designed to withstand small arms fire - are vulnerable to roadside bombs and should be withdrawn from action.Critics say the vehicles - designed to withstand small arms fire - are vulnerable to roadside bombs and should be withdrawn from action.
The families say that 29 service personnel have been killed since 2001 while travelling in them.The families say that 29 service personnel have been killed since 2001 while travelling in them.
But the Ministry of Defence says they are quicker and intimidate civilians less than other military vehicles.But the Ministry of Defence says they are quicker and intimidate civilians less than other military vehicles.
Heavily criticalHeavily critical
Snatch Land Rovers are officially categorised as Protected Patrol Vehicles and are used in peacekeeping missions and other operations where troops need quick land transport.
The group of families includes Roger Bacon, whose son Major Mathew Bacon was killed by a roadside bomb in Basra in 2005. He claimed the Land Rover had not given his son enough protection.The group of families includes Roger Bacon, whose son Major Mathew Bacon was killed by a roadside bomb in Basra in 2005. He claimed the Land Rover had not given his son enough protection.
Carol Jones, the mother of Sergeant John Jones who was killed in Iraq 2005, will also hand Mr Browne a report from a current serving soldier who was seriously injured after his Snatch vehicle hit a roadside bomb.Carol Jones, the mother of Sergeant John Jones who was killed in Iraq 2005, will also hand Mr Browne a report from a current serving soldier who was seriously injured after his Snatch vehicle hit a roadside bomb.
It isn't a case of a single vehicle being suitable for every task MoD spokeswomanIt isn't a case of a single vehicle being suitable for every task MoD spokeswoman
The officer's report is understood to be heavily critical of the vehicle, which he describes as extremely vulnerable and incapable of withstanding roadside bombs.The officer's report is understood to be heavily critical of the vehicle, which he describes as extremely vulnerable and incapable of withstanding roadside bombs.
Following a month-long review in 2006, the MoD concluded that the vehicles provide the best mobility for the difficult terrain of Iraq and Afghanistan.Following a month-long review in 2006, the MoD concluded that the vehicles provide the best mobility for the difficult terrain of Iraq and Afghanistan.
But the government has also invested in more heavily armoured vehicles, such as the Mastiff and the Vector, to give the army more flexibility.But the government has also invested in more heavily armoured vehicles, such as the Mastiff and the Vector, to give the army more flexibility.
A Ministry of Defence spokeswoman said that the army uses a range of vehicles, and the Land Rover was often the most appropriate.A Ministry of Defence spokeswoman said that the army uses a range of vehicles, and the Land Rover was often the most appropriate.
"It isn't a case of a single vehicle being suitable for every task," she added."It isn't a case of a single vehicle being suitable for every task," she added.
"Sometimes we need to use the speed, agility and low profile of the Snatch Land Rover, while at others the additional protection offered by Mastiff is called for.""Sometimes we need to use the speed, agility and low profile of the Snatch Land Rover, while at others the additional protection offered by Mastiff is called for."
Another question the families will raise is whether all vehicles have now been fitted with anti-landmine equipment, known as Electronic Counter Measures (ECM's).Another question the families will raise is whether all vehicles have now been fitted with anti-landmine equipment, known as Electronic Counter Measures (ECM's).
The Ministry of Defence has been criticised twice this year for failing to fit the devices onto vehicles, which coroners say could have saved the lives of five soldiers.The Ministry of Defence has been criticised twice this year for failing to fit the devices onto vehicles, which coroners say could have saved the lives of five soldiers.
The inquest into the death of Fusilier Gordon Gentle, who was killed in 2003, heard how the device had been available, but was left in a store cupboard for two weeks before Mr Gentle's death.The inquest into the death of Fusilier Gordon Gentle, who was killed in 2003, heard how the device had been available, but was left in a store cupboard for two weeks before Mr Gentle's death.
In November 2007, Coroner Andrew Walker said the deaths of four Royal Marines could also have been avoided if the boat they were using to patrol near Basra had been fitted with an anti-landmine device.In November 2007, Coroner Andrew Walker said the deaths of four Royal Marines could also have been avoided if the boat they were using to patrol near Basra had been fitted with an anti-landmine device.
The meeting, which will take place at the Ministry of Defence, comes on the same day that Prime Minister Gordon Brown announced 150 new specialist protective vehicles will be sent to Afghanistan.The meeting, which will take place at the Ministry of Defence, comes on the same day that Prime Minister Gordon Brown announced 150 new specialist protective vehicles will be sent to Afghanistan.