Lack of equipment for soldiers comes in for criticism

London: As the commander who led British forces' bloodiest tour of Afghanistan since the mission began praised the "most extraordinary courage and resolve" of his troops, MPs yesterday sharply criticised the performance and shortage of their equipment.

Only about 20 per cent of new Mastiff armoured vehicles were classified as "fit" last year though the situation has since improved, according to the Commons public accounts committee.

The deployed fleet of 87 Mastiffs consumed 176 axles in a 13-month period, it says.

A smaller armoured vehicle, the Vector, which was bought to replace the lightly-armoured Snatch Land Rovers, performed so poorly it had to be withdrawn and replaced with an upgraded version of the same Snatch Land Rover.

The MPs add that spares for Merlin and Apache helicopters are in short supply "necessitating cannibalisation of aircraft".

Training affected

Shortages of equipment have also affected training. "Many troops have not had direct experience of some equipment, such as electronic counter measures systems, before arriving in theatre," they say.

The RAF has had to "hibernate" some skills by reducing the number of air crew trained for specific tasks such as Harrier fighter pilots who were no longer training to land at night on aircraft carriers, the MPs disclose. However, they praise advances in the medical treatment of the armed forces on operations.