MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

UK cuts defence programs to fund new equipment for Afghanistan

Defence Secretary Bob Ainsworth announced the purchase of 22 Chinnok choppers.

British Defence Secretary Bob Ainsworth announced Tuesday a package of cutbacks in core defence programmes to fund £900 million of new equipment for troops in Afghanistan over the next three years.

Mr Ainsworth told the House of Commons the changes would ensure that “those who put themselves in harm's way on our behalf remain properly supported and resourced”.

The cuts will mean the closure of RAF Cottesmore in Rutland and the immediate loss of one squadron of Harrier fast jets; reductions in overall service personnel numbers and some aspects of Army training.

They will also mean the early withdrawal of Nimrod MR2 surveillance planes; and the removal from service of one survey ship and one mine-hunter.

Spending on the defence estate will be reduced, planned reductions in older Lynx and Merlin Mk1 helicopters will be brought forward and cuts in the MoD civilian workforce are also expected.

Forces in Afghanistan will benefit from more body armour and night-vision goggles, more Bowman tactical radios, better funding for intelligence, enhanced capabilities to deal with roadside bombs and more cash for special forces communications.

An additional C-17 aircraft will strengthen the “air bridge” with the UK and there will be improvements to the defensive and support arrangements for the RAF Hercules heavy-lift fleet, said the Defence Secretary.

Mr Ainsworth earlier announced plans to buy an additional 22 Chinook heavy-lift helicopters, the first of which should arrive for use on the frontline in Afghanistan in 2012/13.

The Defence Secretary told the Commons: “This is a difficult balance to strike, but I am confident we have got that balance right and that this will be demonstrated where it matters most - on the frontline where our brave servicemen and women, supported by MoD civilians, are fighting for the future of Afghanistan and the security of our country.”

But Conservative shadow defence secretary Liam Fox said that the cuts were being imposed not because of a reduced threat to Britain's security or a reassessment of UK security needs, but because of the Government's “catastrophic” management of the economy.