British troops 'stretched and under-resourced'

Wednesday, 13 December 2006 12:00 AM

British troops in Iraq and Afghanistan are operating "in insufficient numbers and without all the equipment they need", MPs have warned today.

A new report from the defence select committee warns a lack of staff and the pressure of continuing deployments on training means there is a "clear danger" that Britain will not be able to maintain its military commitments.

Troops are currently deployed in 28 locations around the world, with major operations in Iraq, Afghanistan and the Balkans. But the MPs note the Ministry of Defence's (MoD's) plans are based on just one medium scale and two small scale operations at any one time.

It says these plans must be reassessed, noting that although the MoD is meeting its manning targets, these goals are no longer relevant to the situation on the ground.

The concerns reflect last week's warning by former army chief Mike Jackson that army funding was "inadequate" and guided by plans based in a "virtual world" that did not reflect reality. He also warned the MoD could be asking "too much" of its armed forces.

However, a government spokesman insisted: "The MoD is keenly aware of the burdens which operations place on our people and, although the current level of operational activity is higher than planned, it is sustainable.

"Commanders are content that the armed forces can cope with the current level of military commitments."

Today's committee report finds more than 30 per cent of armed forces units have "serious or critical weaknesses" in their peacetime readiness and their ability to prepare immediately for deployment, which is a "cause of concern"

The MPs also warn that the current level of deployments is having an impact on training and that over time, "this will impact on military effectiveness and the armed forces' ability to 'fight the next war' which could present an entirely different challenge".

This issue is "one of the deepest concerns to us", they say, adding that the MoD must address the question as a "matter of urgency".

In terms of resources, the MPs highlight a shortage of helicopter spares in the navy and "critical weaknesses" in many RAF aircraft. Particular concern is expressed about the availability of battlefield helicopters, especially in Iraq and Afghanistan.

"Whether UK armed forces are stretched or overstretched is a matter for continued debate. What is certain is that they are operating in challenging conditions in insufficient numbers and without all the equipment they need," the report says.

"With problems of undermanning continuing, there is a clear danger that the armed forces will not be capable of maintaining current commitments over the medium-term."

The report commends the MoD's efforts to retain troops, including bonuses for troops on deployment, and says the concerns about overstretch have not led to any "mass exodus".

However, shadow defence secretary Liam Fox warned Tony Blair - who has promised troops all the resources they need - must address the "mismatch" between Britain's military commitments and the decrease in the frontline capabilities of its armed forces.

"He must, as a matter of urgency, address the current level of overstretch in our armed forces which is having a real impact on our levels of readiness, on the numbers of helicopters and transport aircraft available, and on our service personnel and their families, as the report makes clear," he said.

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