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Defence chiefs were today rushing three "stranded" armoured trucks to Afghanistan after an equipment fiasco.
The 17-ton Ridgback vehicles lined with life-saving armour were dispatched to the war three weeks ago but ended up in Dubai.
The Ministry of Defence denied it had bungled. But after Tories branded the delay "inexcusable", two of the three trucks were hastily being airlifted by RAF C17 aircraft. The third will be moved by the end of the week, promised officials.
The row broke as officials prepared to name the latest young soldier killed in a roadside explosion in Afghanistan.
A serviceman from the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, attached to the Light Dragoons, was on a vehicle patrol in Babaji in Helmand Province yesterday morning. His family has been informed.
Defence officials said the soldier's death was not connected with any shortage of Ridgback trucks. Although his armoured CVR(T) car carried less armour, a Ridgback truck would not have been suitable for a patrol.
Nine Ridgback trucks, designed to withstand mines and roadside bombs, were dispatched to Afghanistan last month but ended up in Dubai. Five have now arrived in Afghanistan.
Officials blamed "operational priorities" for the delays.
It came as supporters lined the streets as airmen returning from Afghanistan were given an emotional homecoming parade today.
Hundreds of banner-waving people lined the streets to pay their respects to members of the 63 Royal Squadron RAF Regiment.
The men had just completed a six month deployment and were involved in Operation Panther's Claw, one of the bloodiest missions against the Taliban. Crowds burst into applause and waved Union flags as the parade, led by the Army Air Corps Band, marched through Uxbridge.
Suzanne Vowden, 51, travelled from Devon to show her support for her nephew Andrew Strachan. "It has been fantastic, we are so proud.
"We are so glad to have them all back. You worry so much when they are away, you can't help yourself, but they are all doing such a great job out there."
Reader views (3)
Those responsible for this fiasco should be court-martialed and sent to join their ill-equipped front-line troops as punishment, pour encourager les autres.
- Austen, London, 05/08/2009 11:40
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Can our allies the US not fly these into Afghanistan? With their enormous C17's they could do it in no time. Is the MoD exclusively staffed by idiots?
- Mark, London, 05/08/2009 10:34
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This is unbelievable. Who is running MoD these days? A bunch of misplaced circus clowns? How many of the servicemen who lost their lives in Afghanistan would still be alive today had those vehicles being properly deployed? Scandalous to say the least!
- Graham Rodhouse, Helmond, Netherlands, 05/08/2009 10:33
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