Troops get new protective gear

London: They are certain to prompt sniggers back at barracks, but their purpose is deadly serious.

British troops in Afghanistan may soon be using a new item of protective gear — blast-resistant underpants.

With more powerful roadside bombs causing a rise in the number of groin injuries and other lower body damages, protective pants could soon be an essential part of the soldier's kit.

BCB International, a military accessories provider based in Cardiff, will soon be selling "blast boxers" to the public for less than £60 (Dh331) a pair in knitted kevlar. The MoD is looking at a version of the pants which has a panel made of tightly-woven silk to protect the most vulnerable areas. Used in this way, silk is very strong yet more flexible than kevlar. RAF medics say they have witnessed an increase in injuries to this most sensitive area of the male anatomy. "We are seeing a lot of perineum [groin] injuries," said Sergeant Sonia Darbyshire.

Her colleague Corporal Tony Pugsley added: "Ninety per cent of the powerful improvised explosive device [IED] injuries now are ­double amputees, and the scrotum area is usually badly affected."