HELICOPTERS WILL SAVE LIVES BUT WON'T CHANGE STRATEGIC STALEMATE IN AFGHANISTAN
July 16, 2009 6:30 AM
Commenting on today's Defence Committee report, which says that a lack of helicopters is undermining UK operations in Afghanistan, Liberal Democrat Shadow Defence Secretary, Nick Harvey said: "It has been clear for years that there has not been enough helicopter capacity, but the Government has failed to respond. Our Armed Forces are now paying a heavy price for this, which will simply get worse unless ministers urgently procure more helicopters.
"But we will not win in Afghanistan by military means alone. Helicopters and armoured vehicles will save British lives, but they will not solve the fundamental problem of a strategic stalemate in the country. The Government needs clear, realistic objectives for what it intends to achieve in Afghanistan - something which it has so far lacked.
"The Government's plan to patch up ageing Puma helicopters is misguided - getting new Merlin helicopters into the field instead would be much safer for our troops and in the long run better value for the taxpayer."
What would you like to do next?
-
Subscribe for updates
Follow the party's activity on...
- Twitter:
- Liberal Democrats
- Facebook:
- Liberal Democrats
- YouTube:
- Liberal Democrats