13 November 2007

TIME TO UPDATE OUR COUNTRY’S COMMITMENT TO ITS ARMED FORCES

Stafford’s Labour MP David Kidney says Gordon Brown’s Government is right to promise Parliament, the country and our Armed Forces an updated strategy for supporting our military personnel who undertake such dangerous duties on our behalf:

“On the evening of Remembrance Sunday, I was asked in Stafford’s Royal British Legion’s Club about the upholding of the military covenant. This is the doctrine that says that our Service personnel risk their lives for their country, some make the ultimate sacrifice and others returned home severely injured. In return, they should expect the Government, Parliament and the public to treat them properly and look after the injured and the bereaved families of the deceased.

“We all recognise the immense contribution made by our Armed Forces. We respect and honour the fact that our military risk their own lives to protect our national security and interests abroad. I believe that the well being and safety of our Armed Forces remain a top priority for us all, Government, MPs and public.

“It is right for the Government to have announced to Parliament that now is the right time to take stock and for the Government to set out its agenda for Service personnel, their families and veterans.  The intention is to publish a Command Paper setting out existing support and proposed further support.

“In Iraq, our Armed Forces are moving towards handing over security responsibility to Iraqis. In Afghanistan, they are helping to build the security conditions to allow reconstruction and development to take place. In this work, our Armed Forces continue to get the best equipment and support.”

Editor’s Note:  some examples of equipment and support

PROVIDING THE “BEST EQUIPMENT” FOR OUR ARMED FORCES

Safety of our personnel on operations is a prime concern, but there is no such thing as perfect protection; military operations are inherently risky.

Our Armed Forces have battle-winning capability, and it is improving all the time. We have delivered equipment valued at more than £10bn to the Armed Forces in past 3 years. We give priority to equipping people on, or training for, operations.

We constantly monitor and respond to the capability and protection requirements of our troops.  We have spent over £2.2Bn on emerging Urgent Operational Requirements for current operations; over £1Bn of this was on Force Protection.  These have been funded from the Treasury Reserve – not out of MOD’s budget.

Safety of our personnel on operations is a prime concern. We have delivered Mastiff and Bulldog protected mobility vehicles to Iraq, and they are on the streets saving lives.  We have delivered Mastiff, Vector and Viking vehicles to Afghanistan.  These additional vehicles are proving hugely popular with the troops and give commanders more options.

The Armed Forces have introduced a range of new systems over the last few years which have significantly enhanced our troops’ capability.  These include new body armour, new protected patrol vehicles, communications and surveillance equipment, night vision equipment, electronic counter measures, and base security

Commanders have a range of Protected Patrol Vehicles at their disposal, allowing them to adapt to the conditions on the ground.  These range from Challenger 2 and Warrior, through Mastiff, Bulldog, Viking and Vector down to the smaller and more mobile Snatch, WMIK and the newly procured MWMIK.