(2) if he will publish on his Department’s website information on the techniques employed at (a) Basra air station and (b) other bases in Iraq occupied by British personnel along the lines of the information available on the base protection techniques at Kandahar air base.
The threat faced by British troops at the NATO base at Kandahar air station is very different to that faced by British troops in bases within Iraq. Therefore the protection measures employed will be different at each base but will be appropriate to the threat. An audit of the force protection measures at bases in Basra has taken place recently and work is ongoing to build on the measures that are already in use.
The information on the Department’s website is reviewed periodically and appropriate information, which will not compromise operational security, will continue to be placed on the website with respect to UK military operations.
The standard of force protection at all UK bases in Afghanistan is appropriate to the threat level in each area.
Since the beginning of operations in Afghanistan, three UK fatalities have been confirmed as being caused by land mines. Since March 2006, some information has been gathered regarding the number of personnel wounded by land mines. It is estimated that since this date approximately 16 military personnel have been wounded as a result of land mines; however, this figure may not be entirely reliable because some very minor injuries may not be reported, and because it is not always possible to ascertain whether an incident is caused by a land mine or an Improvised Explosive Device (IED).
HM forces in Afghanistan are there as part of a peace-enforcement operation. However, the character of any particular campaign is rarely static and its intensity can vary over time. This requires UK forces to conduct a wide range of military activities concurrently, and transition quickly from one type of operation to another. This is evident in the way in which UK forces are involved in frequent engagements with the Taliban while simultaneously assisting in reconstruction activities. Nevertheless, the aims of the ISAF mission remain to stabilise the security environment so that the Provincial Reconstruction Team and other agencies can operate to extend the Government's authority, to improve the rule of law, and to facilitate reconstruction and development, particularly by supporting capacity-building in the security sector.
Unofficial estimates of the number of land mines in Afghanistan vary between 5 million and 7 million and the most recent land mine impact survey identified some 715 square kilometres of hazardous areas. There are numerous mine action programmes under way in Afghanistan with some 9,500 Afghans working for organisations coordinated by the UN Mine Action Programme of Afghanistan.
The 51 mm mortar is in service in Afghanistan but is approaching its planned out of service date across the armed forces. Ammunition stocks have been prioritised in order to continue to support its use in Afghanistan. The capability provided by the 51 mm mortar will be replaced by a combination of systems including the 40 mm Underslung Grenade Launcher and rocket hand-fired illumination and smoke rounds. In Afghanistan, this capability is being augmented by a purchase of a more modern and supportable 60 mm mortar.
VIPIR thermal imagery is in use in Afghanistan on a variety of weapons and vehicles, and the number deployed is being increased following a review of equipment requirements.
There are four return Tristar flights per week on the airbridge to Afghanistan. This requirement is met by one aircraft plus one reserve. Only Tristars that are fitted with defensive measures fly the Afghanistan airbridge. The majority of RAF Tristars are now fitted with defensive measures.
Operational reliability is assessed by the numbers of aircraft that are deemed as fit for purpose (FFP) against the planned average FFP figure. Aircraft are deemed fit for purpose if they are capable of undertaking the required task on a given day. Aircraft are not available for tasking if they are undergoing scheduled maintenance, modification programmes or any unforeseen rectification work that can arise .on a day to day basis. The figures do not reflect the fact that an aircraft assessed as not fit for purpose may be returned to the front line at very short notice to meet the operational need. The planned average FFP for the Tristar aircraft for 2006-07 is 4.8 aircraft per day. As at the end of February 2007 we have achieved a FFP figure of 4.62 aircraft per day for the same period, largely owing to the ongoing programme to fit defensive measures to the Tristar.
For the period 1 December 2006 to 28 February 2007 the following percentage of flights have been delayed
UK to Afghanistan Afghanistan to UK Aircraft maintenance 7 4 Other 17 24
The other reasons for delays include adverse weather and air traffic delays. The percentage delayed for other reasons is higher for the return leg as this figure includes delay due to the knock-on effect of the late arrival of the inbound aircraft to theatre.
While any aircraft will require routine maintenance during deployment, the Apache has not been affected by significant technical problems. Apaches on Operation Herrick are receiving top priority for spare parts and maintenance, and are in fact delivering more flying hours than asked for. The Apache has successfully delivered on the tasks that it has undertaken, and reports from theatre have been very positive about this capability.
(2) whether UK Apache helicopters in Afghanistan are being maintained by the cannibalising of spare parts from helicopters in the UK.
At present 19 per cent. of the UK's Apache helicopter fleet is available to UK forces in Afghanistan. This meets the number required for full operational capability.
It has occasionally been necessary to cannibalise aircraft in the Depth Sustainment Fleet in the UK to satisfy high priority demands for deployed UK Apache helicopters. It is possible that Apache in Afghanistan may have been maintained using cannibalised parts, from aircraft going back to the Apache Depth Pulse line maintenance system at Wattisham, though this is not a frequent practice.
Currently there are no Welsh regiments, or elements thereof, deployed in Afghanistan. At any given time, however, there will be a number of individual augmentees on operations, including those in Afghanistan. These may include a number from Welsh regiments.
In total some 170 soldiers from Welsh regiments will be included in the next roulement to Afghanistan.
I refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer I gave on 7 March 2007, Official Report, column 1979W.
Data on the age of service personnel deployed on operations are not held centrally.
Provisional estimates collated from manual records show that no 16 or 17-year-old personnel have been deployed to Afghanistan since the ‘Optional Protocol to the Convention on the rights of the child on the involvement of children in armed conflict’ was ratified on 24 June 2003.
New administrative guidelines and procedures have been introduced by each of the services following the ratification of the Optional Protocol to ensure that under 18 year old personnel are not deployed to areas where hostilities are taking place unless there is a clear operational requirement for them to do so.
Figures on those aged 18 cannot be collated without incurring disproportionate cost.