Source: Telegraph.co.uk By Sean Rayment, Defence Correspondent (NSI News Source Info) LONDON, U.K. - May 3, 2010: Of the 67 in service, just 18 – or 27 per cent – are available for front line operations in
Afghanistan or for training pilots in the United Kingdom.Across all the aircraft types, less than half of Britain's military helicopters are available for operations, with 62 per cent (322 out of a total of 522) out of service.
Ministry of Defence figures obtained by the Conservative Party also show that only 44 per cent of the RAF's Chinook helicopters, 35 per cent of Merlins and 43 per cent of the Royal Navy's Sea Kings are available for service in Afghanistan.
The figures demonstrate how the heat and dust of the Helmand desert and the constant use of the aircraft on combat operations has started to degrade the fighting capability of the entire fleet.
Eighteen months ago 20 Apaches were available for service in Helmand and 53 per cent of the 48-strong Chinook fleet were available for front line operations.
In the last two years the number of improvised explosive devices being used by the Taliban has made travel by road extremely hazardous and many soldiers believe the only safe way to travel in Helmand is in a helicopter.
The Apache provides vital "top cover" for troops serving in the province and is on constant call when soldiers patrol into enemy controlled areas such as the "Green Zone".
The heavily armed Apache, which is equipped with a 30mm chain gun, CRV7 rockets and Hellfire anti-tank missiles, has saved numerous British lives.
The aircraft is now so essential to the military mission in Helmand that troops rarely venture out on large scale operations without support from the Apache.
The helicopter is also fitted with a vast array of highly sophisticated night vision equipment and is often used on reconnaissance missions.
While the Chinook does not provide fire support to ground troops it is vital for the Afghan mission.
Most of the out stations in Helmand are resupplied by Chinook and the helicopter provides a vital role in evacuating injured troops from the battlefield back to the main hospital at Camp Bastion.
Shadow Defence Secretary, Dr Liam Fox said: "Gordon Brown was warned about the shortfalls in helicopters in 2004, yet he went ahead and cut the helicopter budget anyway.
"This was a catastrophic decision when our forces were at war. Gordon Brown's talk about new helicopters for Afghanistan masks the reality that the fleet is still being overworked and that the numbers available for operations are too low.
"Once again our troops on the ground are suffering from Labour's incompetence."
Bill Rammell, the Armed Forces Minister, said: "All helicopter requirements on operations are being met.
"An entire helicopter fleet will never be fully available because some will always require servicing and routine maintenance.
"This is standard military practice and is factored into military planning.
"Since November 2006, we have nearly doubled the number of UK airframes available to commanders in Afghanistan, and over the same period the number of flying hours has increased by 137 per cent.
"In December 2009, the MoD announced that it will buy 22 brand new Chinooks with the first 10 being delivered by 2012/13."
Disclaimer statement
Whilst every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information supplied herein, DTN News ~ Defense-Technology News cannot be held responsible for any errors or omissions. Unless otherwise indicated, opinions expressed herein are those of the author of the page and do not necessarily represent the corporate views of DTN News ~ Defense-Technology News.
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment