The other view from London

The issue of equipment for troops has been raised again.

From the MOD the head of joint capability, Brigadier Abraham, says that there is not only a shortage of vehicles available in Afghanistan, there is also a shortage in this country to enable troops to train with them before leaving for Afghanistan.

In his judgement, it will probably be the end of 2010 before there are sufficient at both ends. It will be even worse, of course, if, as expected, we send more troops out there to prop up things. (The argument from the theatre of war is that more troops will lead to fewer casualties.

It is estimated that the total fleet of mine-resistant vehicles, such as Mastiff and Ridgback, which will be required is 400, and it will take many months to manufacture and transport them.

If there had been enough helicopters, of course, there would have been less need for heavily armoured vehicles.