bobdina
09-24-2009, 12:11 PM
By AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
Published: 24 Sep 2009 11:23
ODIHAM AIRBASE, England - Britain announced September 24 a 408-million-pound upgrade for its Chinook helicopters in Afghanistan, following criticism of a shortage of air power there.
The 38 aircraft will be fitted with more powerful Honeywell engines and more advanced digitized cockpits, to enable them to work more effectively in high altitudes and extreme temperatures in Afghanistan, officials said.
The $660 million (445-million-euro) upgrade to the twin-rotor heavy lift choppers will notably allow them to fly longer without refueling, and to spend longer on the frontline without needing to be serviced.
"The Chinook is the cornerstone of our helicopter support effort in Afghanistan," said junior defence minister Quentin Davies.
"These improvements will increase its capability and ensure it can play an even more valuable role in supporting our forces and NATO coalition allies in tackling insurgency in Afghanistan," he added.
Claims of a shortage of helicopters were at the center of a political row over inadequate equipment for the armed forces amid a surge in the British death toll in Afghanistan earlier this year.
Prime Minister Gordon Brown has defended the government's strategy in Afghanistan, after British forces have in recent months suffered their highest casualty rate since the U.S.-led invasion of the country in 2001.
The surge in deaths to more than 200 has been in particular due to an increase in roadside bombs planted by Taliban insurgents - critics claim such casualties could be lowered by using helicopters more to move troops.
Last month two British Chinooks were lost within days of each other, when one crash landed and had to be destroyed to prevent it falling into enemy hands, while another was hit by enemy fire and exploded.
Published: 24 Sep 2009 11:23
ODIHAM AIRBASE, England - Britain announced September 24 a 408-million-pound upgrade for its Chinook helicopters in Afghanistan, following criticism of a shortage of air power there.
The 38 aircraft will be fitted with more powerful Honeywell engines and more advanced digitized cockpits, to enable them to work more effectively in high altitudes and extreme temperatures in Afghanistan, officials said.
The $660 million (445-million-euro) upgrade to the twin-rotor heavy lift choppers will notably allow them to fly longer without refueling, and to spend longer on the frontline without needing to be serviced.
"The Chinook is the cornerstone of our helicopter support effort in Afghanistan," said junior defence minister Quentin Davies.
"These improvements will increase its capability and ensure it can play an even more valuable role in supporting our forces and NATO coalition allies in tackling insurgency in Afghanistan," he added.
Claims of a shortage of helicopters were at the center of a political row over inadequate equipment for the armed forces amid a surge in the British death toll in Afghanistan earlier this year.
Prime Minister Gordon Brown has defended the government's strategy in Afghanistan, after British forces have in recent months suffered their highest casualty rate since the U.S.-led invasion of the country in 2001.
The surge in deaths to more than 200 has been in particular due to an increase in roadside bombs planted by Taliban insurgents - critics claim such casualties could be lowered by using helicopters more to move troops.
Last month two British Chinooks were lost within days of each other, when one crash landed and had to be destroyed to prevent it falling into enemy hands, while another was hit by enemy fire and exploded.