MOD responds to Defence Select Committee report on Iraq

Commenting on the report, Des Browne said:

"I am glad the Committee recognises the professionalism, courage and dedication of our people in Iraq. As the Committee rightly says, they deserve our respect, admiration and support. It is my duty to make sure we give them the resources to carry on the superb job they are doing, often in exceptionally challenging circumstances.

"I believe we have demonstrated our continuing commitment to this over the last few months - including in the few weeks since the committee visited Iraq in June.

"For example: the report notes - and I acknowledge - that there is pressure on our helicopters and on our air lift capability. We are already taking steps to deal with this. On helicopters, we have a long-term programme to increase operational availability levels - and we continue to explore ways of meeting short-term needs.

"On air lift, we announced last week the purchase of a 5th C-17 Globemaster to reduce the burden on the existing fleet, and we continue to lease commercial aircraft where we can.

"The report also notes the review of vehicles in Iraq which I announced on 26 June, and urges that it move quickly. It has in fact completed, and on 24 July I announced a package of new armoured vehicles - and made a commitment that they would start to become available in Iraq before the end of the year. Sourcing and buying new vehicles, adapting them with additional armour and protective counter-measures, and delivering them to theatre all in a matter of months is no mean feat - as I said at the time, I commend all those who worked to make this happen.

"Finally, the Committee voices concerns about 'overstretch'. I share the view of the Chiefs of Staff, that the Armed Forces are stretched, but not overstretched. We all acknowledge we are asking a lot of them, and that we need to take steps to manage the impact - on them, on their training and recuperation, and their families. But as they themselves are the first to recognise, the work they are doing, in Iraq and Afghanistan and across the world, is absolutely vital - and I pay tribute again to their outstanding efforts in carrying it out.

"There is no room for complacency, and I welcome the Committee's scrutiny. I will respond to the report in full when I have studied it in more detail."

The House of Commons Defence Committee (HCDC) Report "UK Operations in Iraq" is published on Thu 10 Aug 2006. A formal response to the report from the Ministry of Defence will be made within six weeks.

There have been three major developments since the Committee visited Iraq in June 06:

• First, the Government announced the procurement of three new batches of armoured vehicles on 24 July 06.
• Second, the Government has announced the purchase of five C-17 Globemaster aircraft (four of which were previously leased) on 4 Aug 06.
• Third, security responsibility for Muthanna province has been handed over to the Iraqi authorities. This is a clear demonstration of the growing capabilities of the Iraqi Security forces and the real progress being made in parts of Iraq.

We note the Committee's concerns about the use of armoured 'Snatch' Landrovers in Iraq. There is no question that they remain useful for a wide variety of tasks where their size and less aggressive posture are vital. It has the best available armour and electronic counter measures that a vehicle of its size and weight can have, but the threat is also continuously evolving.

There is no such thing as perfect protection and military operations are inherently risky. The Defence Secretary announced a review of armoured vehicles in June 06, in light of the developing threats to British forces in Iraq and Afghanistan. On 24 July 06, he announced new orders of around 100 additional VECTOR, Pinzgauer-based protected patrol vehicles for Afghanistan; around 70 extra uparmoured and upgraded FV430 troop carriers for Iraq; and around 100 new 'Mastiff' medium weight protected patrol vehicles, based on the Force Protection Inc 'Cougar', for both operational theatres. These vehicles will be delivered as soon as they can be manufactured. Additional specialist armour, Electronic Counter-Measures and Bowman communications kit will then be fitted before they are deployed to operational theatres. With WARRIOR and SNATCH they will give military commanders a coherent suite of options to balance protection with the threat and their task in Iraq and Afghanistan.

The Ministry of Defence spends about £6 billion a year on new equipment to support our Armed Forces. In addition, the Urgent Operational Requirements system delivers priority equipment in response to needs in Iraq. More than £527 million has been spent on extra kit to protect our people serving on operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. This includes new armoured vehicles, personal protection, electronic counter measures and improved defensive aid suites for air transport.

The handover of Muthanna, one of the four provinces in the Multi-National Division (South-East) area of responsibility in Iraq, has reduced the footprint and logistics requirement of the Armed Forces. We look forward to the handover of security responsibility for other provinces, as the right conditions are established on the ground.