| Royal Marine Sergeant Stephen Brown said his men were lacking ammunition and needed better-armoured vehicles.
Repeated requests for extra kit have not been met, he is reported to have told journalists in Lashkar Gar.
Sgt Brown commands the unit which included Gary Wright (21), who was killed by a suicide bomber while on patrol in Helmand last month.
According to Sgt Brown, his troops are short of Wimiks — stripped down and heavily armed Land Rovers.
He apparently did not suggest such a vehicle would have saved Marine Wright’s life, but insisted it could have prevented injuries to Dundee Sergeant Gary Ellis (35), also caught up in the incident.
Sgt Ellis is still recovering at a military hospital in England from the severe injuries he suffered in the attack.
“We need different vehicles and more weaponry,” Sgt Brown said.
“Everything could be improved. It’s the lack of kit that needs to be addressed. Countless times we have in requests for what we need extra, and it has not arrived.”
Sgt Brown said his men did not have enough thermal imaging sights, which register body heat and could allow them to spot a suicide bomber’s explosives against his body.
“These units will save people’s lives,” he added. “They allow you to look at the potential threat and see him coming, but having to pass them around by hand and pick up your weapon — by that time he’s on top of you.”
The officer also complained they needed more grenades which could be launched from rifles.
But Lieutenant Colonel Andy Price, of the Royal Marines, said there were enough grenades available, and added heavy vehicles were inappropriate to patrol in narrow streets in built-up areas.
He said, “Every commander would love to have infinite resources, but we are realistic. If we ask for 30 more Wimiks there’s only one place they are going to come from in the short term and that’s Iraq. We don’t want to take kit away from them.
“The commander’s view is that he has enough kit to carry out the mission he has been tasked to do.”
A Ministry of Defence spokesman said Sgt Brown was expressing “personal views”, and they would be disputed by other soldiers.
“Some Ł123 million has been spent on Urgent Operational Requirements for Afghanistan, and that’s money that continues to be spent,” he said.
Sgt Brown’s claims came as an independent report issued by the National Audit Office today revealed the MoD has “shown improvements in controlling cost increases in the equipment programme by taking sensible measures to ensure it lives within its means”.
Angus MP Mike Weir said, “These comments are deeply troubling and reflect some other concerns that have been raised regarding equipment.
“We are asking our troops to risk their lives in a difficult and dangerous mission. It is essential they have all the equipment they require.
“To ask them to operate in such a situation with inadequate gear is morally repugnant, especially if it is being done on grounds of cost.
“The Prime Minister has said the troops can have everything they need. It is time he lived up to his word. I will be pursuing this matter further.” |
