UK troops in Afghanistan ‘until at least 2011’, minister admits
By Liz Stephens and Jonathan Moore
A government minister today suggested Britain could be involved in active operations in Afghanistan until at least 2011.
Speaking at the unveiling of new surveillance and target acquisition equipment, Quentin Davies – the defence equipment minister – admitted it would not be ready for use until April 2011.
“There are no cuts in defence spending at the present time and no cuts envisaged,” he said.
“It won’t be tomorrow that we find a solution to Afghanistan, or that will enable us to leave Afghanistan.”
When asked why it would take more than a year-and-a-half to implement the new equipment he said it would require new training for the troops.
“You have to make sure they are trained up, it has to be second nature to them.”
Anti-war protestors have reacted negatively to the news, claiming it is further evidence of the government’s failure in Afghanistan.
“This of a piece with the previous statements from former defence secretary Des Browne saying we would be there for many years and the new head of the army saying we would be there for forty years,” a Stop the War spokesperson told politics.co.uk
“This is a horrific prospect. This is a war we are not capable of winning and is being lost at the moment.
“All the talk about the need for more equipment simply hides the fact we aren’t winning the fight and aren’t winning hearts and minds.
“The only reasonable thing for us to do is withdraw our troops and allow the Afghans to run their own country.”
Mr Davies was speaking at the Defence Systems and Equipment International (DSEi) exhibition at the ExCel Centre in London, an event which has caused controversy this year as the largest contingent of Libyan arms dealers ever to visit the UK is expected to be in attendance.
