It goes on

The military have a difficult task. Apart from the enemy who is seeking to kill our troops, we have a defence supply system which ties the troops hands behind their backs!

We had soldiers without the correct boots, body armour, ammunition, protected vehicles and helicopters. We have a navy with too few vessels for its duties, and aircraft carriers with no aircraft.

We have an air force with dangerous air-refuelling tankers, and generally too few of everything.

Now we have paratroopers who are not qualified to jump out of aircraft. Too many courses and jumping programmes have been cancelled that many have not qualified or re-qualified. The main problem is that the fleet of Hercules aircraft used for this purpose is inadequate. They are old and prone to failure, and three have been shot down in Iraq and Afghanistan, so only 18 of the 39 used in training are available. This problem has been encountered before.

The rules are strict. Basic parachutists must make seven jumps to earn their "wings", and at least one jump every two years thereafter to maintain their proficiency. If they do not achieve the "regular" jump, then they must make five jumps to re-qualify.

Troops on the front line must wonder sometimes about the commitment of those supplying them!