Two SBS Special Forces soldiers, whose training costs can be counted as far higher than most, died today during a firefight in Helmand with the Taliban. These are Special Forces: they are not involved in peacekeeping duties, but on counter-terrorist activities. Nevertheless, they were using the heavily criticised but lightly armoured Land Rover.
Yesterday's casualties may stoke the controversy surrounding British
troops' use of open-topped Land Rovers, which offer limited protection.
"It's a balance of protection, mobility and risk," said Capt Gibson.
"If you drive around in fully armoured vehicles you can't talk to the
local population."
"Talking to the local population" is not the highest priority for combatting counter-terrorism, unless Special Forces had been redeployed to peacekeeping duties, an inappropriate role for their skills. We obtained the usual facile response from Blar's office:
Responding to questions about equipment available to UK forces in
Afghanistan, Tony Blair's spokesman said last night: "Let us be clear
that the very sad deaths today were down to those who attacked British
troops. We shouldn't make it any more complicated than it is. Our
thoughts are with their families."
Yes, we should, when costcutting measures by your Chancellor, Gordon Brown, affects the security of all British soldiers and rendered you partially culpable for their deaths. Sententious handwringing to dismiss a 'bad news day'. no doubt. It is a surprise that even our Special Forces are rendered more ineffective by the 'war on the cheap' mentality of the Treasury.