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Cuts ground UK special forces helicopters
HELICOPTERS used by British special forces to mentor their Afghan counterparts on anti-drugs operations have been grounded to save just £2m a year. The funding for the helicopters used by the Special Boat Service (SBS) and Afghan special forces for raids on drugs barons and Taliban insurgents was cut by the Foreign Office two months ago.The decision came despite Gordon Browns announcement that Britains exit strategy rests on training Afghan forces to take over its role. The Foreign Office refused to discuss the funding but privately officials confirmed the money was cut amid vain hopes that the Americans would foot the bill instead. The mission, known as Operation Emperor, involved SBS commandos training the Afghan special narcotics force as well as mentoring them. In June last year, it resulted in the seizure of 262 tons of cannabis in Kandahar province, the worlds largest drugs haul. Des Browne, the former defence secretary, told MPs in May 2007 that the operation was highly effective at detecting Taliban communications and supply routes from Pakistan. It was a highly successful mission and the Afghans were getting better every day, a special forces source said last week. The paltry sums involved were getting a pretty valuable return. Posted by: lotp 2009-11-29 |
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