Army boss calls for more equipment as another soldier dies
- 00:02:05
- ITN
Army boss calls for more equipment as another soldier dies
Another UK soldier has been killed in Afghanistan as the head of the British Army argues troops need more resources. The serviceman, from 2nd Battalion The Rifles, died while on a foot patrol near Gereshk in central Helmand Province on Thursday afternoon. Lieutenant Colonel Nick Richardson, spokesman for Task Force Helmand, said: "It is with extreme sadness that I must report the death of a brave soldier. "He laid down his life for his country and for the good people of Afghanistan. "We grieve for his loss and join with his family and friends to mourn his passing. He will always be remembered." The soldier's next of kin have been informed. General Sir Richard Dannatt said troops need more resources and he will present ministers with a "shopping list" to help protect troops from roadside bombs. Gen Dannatt, who is retiring as Chief of General Staff later this month, argued that the Ministry of Defence (MoD) may have to use money allocated for other projects to finance the war in Afghanistan if it cannot convince the Treasury to provide additional resources. He also said that with the US arguing for a "short-term uplift" in troop numbers, the UK may have to increase its own military presence. He also said a reduction in troop numbers from 9,000 after the Afghan elections in August would be the "wrong thing to do". A bloody start to July in Afghanistan has now seen the deaths of 16 UK service personnel and sparked a debate about whether operations in the country are being adequately financed. Prime Minister Gordon Brown has insisted that UK troops in Afghanistan are "properly equipped" and promised: "We will do whatever is necessary and what is right to equip our Armed Forces."
ITN | July 17, 2009
