Dubai, August 05: Heavily-armoured trucks meant for British soldiers in Afghanistan have been stuck hundreds of miles away in another country for nearly three weeks, it emerged today.
As the Ministry of Defence prepares to name the latest British soldier killed in a roadside explosion in southern Afghanistan, officials blamed “operational priorities” for delays in transferring a fleet of Ridgback vehicles from Dubai since July 16.
Of the nine trucks – which are built to withstand mines and roadside bombs – that arrived in Dubai on that date, three still remain in the emirate and are not scheduled to arrive in Afghanistan until August 8, the MoD said.
An MoD spokeswoman said logistics bosses were working “as hard they can” to make sure the equipment arrived.
She added: “The delivery of equipment such as Ridgback vehicles is prioritised against operational requirements.
“Unfortunately this can be affected by a range of factors including aircraft availability, airfield capacity and conflicting operational priorities.
“Of those vehicles in Dubai on July 16, all but three have been delivered to theatre. The remainder will be in Afghanistan by August 8, operational circumstances allowing.”
US-made Ridgbacks, which weigh more than 17 tons, have been used by the British Army in Afghanistan since June. A total of 157 have been ordered.
July was the bloodiest month for British forces in Afghanistan since the mission began eight years ago, with 22 soldiers killed and scores more wounded in action.
A serviceman from the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, attached to the Light Dragoons, who died while on a vehicle patrol in Babaji in Helmand Province yesterday morning is expected to be named by the MoD today.
His family has been informed.
The soldier was part of British forces holding territory won in Operation Panther’s Claw, a massive UK-led offensive to drive the Taliban out of a former stronghold in Helmand.
It is believed that his vehicle was hit by an improvised explosive device.
Lieutenant Colonel Mark Wenham, spokesman for Task Force Helmand, said: “It is with great regret that we report the death of another soldier on Operation Herrick 10.
“The loss of a soldier, friend and colleague is tragic and our thoughts are with his family and friends at this sad time.”
Panther’s Claw, which ended a week ago, saw fierce fighting with insurgents as Nato and Afghan troops attempted to improve security in Helmand ahead of presidential and provincial elections on August 20.
The total UK death toll in the troubled country since the start of operations in October 2001 now stands at 192.
–Agencies