This will include: the purchase of around 100 additional Pinzgauer 'Vector' for Afghanistan, on top of the 66 already on contract, with deliveries to begin early in 2007; the provision, for Iraq, of around 70 uparmoured and upgraded FV430 troop carriers, in addition to the 54 already on contract, with deliveries starting late this year and building up to a mechanised infantry battlegroup by Spring 2007; and the acquisition of around 100 of a new medium weight vehicle, 'Cougar', which is manufactured by Force Protection Incorporated of Charleston, South Carolina, and is expected to be delivered to Iraq and Afghanistan in batches over the next six month rotation, with an effective capability in place in Iraq by the end of the year.
The new package emerged from the urgent review ordered by the Defence Secretary last month, and builds on work that had been ongoing with the MOD. Complementing heavily armoured Warriors and lighter Snatch patrol vehicles, these new vehicles will give commanders on the ground in Iraq and Afghanistan more options to deal with the developing threats they are facing.
Des Browne said:
"The protection of our Forces is a top priority. I have made clear my determination to provide commanders on the ground in Iraq and Afghanistan with the resources they need to do the job.
"Military operations are inherently risky and armour is only the innermost layer in the force protection system. But this package of new equipment shows we are doing everything possible to provide our troops with some of the best protection available.
"May I take this opportunity to congratulate all those within the MoD for their excellent work in assessing the available options and sourcing an excellent solution to our soldiers' requirements."
VECTOR provides good protection and, importantly, increased mobility and capacity compared to SNATCH Landrovers which makes it very suitable for the rugged terrain and long patrol distances in Afghanistan.
The up-armoured FV430 will provide a similar level of protection to Warrior while being less intimidating and having less impact on local infrastructure - thereby providing commanders with an important additional option. It will be able to carry out many of the same tasks as Warrior, so it will also relieve pressure on heavily committed Warrior vehicles and armoured infantry battlegroups.
Cougar meets the requirement for a well protected, wheeled patrol vehicle with a less intimidating profile than tracked vehicles like Warrior or FV430. Once the vehicles are delivered they will be customised with essential Bowman radios and electronic counter-measures - and then fitted with additional armour beyond the standard level, to ensure they have the best possible protection.
Before today's announcement, the Ministry of Defence had already spent over £527m on Urgent Operational Requirements for Iraq and Afghanistan designed to improve force protection. This is in addition to the planned £6bn annual defence procurement budget.
Force Protection Urgent Operational Requirement – Key Facts
Expenditure on Force Protection
- Iraq – over £404m spent
- Afghanistan - over £123m
- Total of over £527m: In addition to £6bn annual defence procurement budget
- £147m on vehicle and personal protection
- £181m on aircraft protection
- £199m on ECM
Vehicle protection already completed
- Protection upgrades for AFVs including Challenger 2, Warrior, FV430 (in progress), Saxon, CVR(T), Challenger Armoured Recovery Vehicles
- Conversion of Saxon to produce armoured ambulances including air-con
- Conversion and new-build of Snatch Mk2 Land Rovers
- Protected vehicles for specialist tasks, such as VIP transport
- Blast and ballistic protection for soft-skin B vehicles including DROPs, recovery vehicles, Heavy Equipment Transporters
- Machine-gun mounts for self-defence of Heavy Equipment Transporters
- Wire cutter defences (in progress) for vehicles – local immediate modifications will be replaced by purpose-designed kit
Personal protection
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Osprey Improved Combat Body Armour for normal operational duties
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Kestrel Enhanced Protection Body Armour for top-cover sentries
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Body armour for specialist personnel
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Ballistic Eye Protection
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Camp/base surveillance and attack alarm systems
ECM/EOD
- Comprehensive Electronic Counter-Measures suites for all vehicle and foot patrols
- Training versions of ECM for pre-deployment training
- Specialist ECM to support Explosive Ordnance Disposal tasks
- Protected specialist vehicles for EOD teams
- Lightweight heli-borne EOD vehicles for Afghanistan
- Improved lightweight EOD robot vehicles
- Mine clearance equipment
Aircraft protection
- Explosion Suppressant Foam being installed on C-130s
- Improved defensive aids suites for air transport and helicopters
- Improved flares
- Improved communications for air transport and helicopters to aid situational awareness
- Flight deck armour for air transport and Nimrods
