British troops under-equipped, overstretched in Iraq

[Barrett808]

LONDON (AFP) - Essential military kit must be sent to Iraq urgently to protect British troops who are under-equipped and overstretched despite escalating violence there, a parliamentary committee reported.

The all-party defence committee highlighted shortages in vital equipment, including armoured vehicles and helicopters, and said repeated tours of duty were threatening the army's operational effectiveness.

"(We) were disturbed by the deficiencies in equipment they faced," the MPs said in a report based on a visit to some of Britain's 7,200 troops in southern Iraq.

"The MoD (Ministry of Defence) must address equipment shortages and capability gaps as a matter of urgency. Our forces cannot wait for long-term procurement projects to come to fruition; they need the kit now.

"We cannot send them on operations without giving them the tools they need to do the job."

(more)

http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20060810/wl_mideast_afp/britainiraqmilitary2