First new helicopter for British troops arrives in Afghanistan
THE first RAF Merlin helicopter has arrived in Afghanistan to help British troops fight the Taleban.
The aircraft will take to the skies on missions within weeks, the Ministry of Defence said yesterday.
The deployment of the Merlins follows heated debate about whether British commanders in Afghanistan have enough helicopters at their disposal, amid criticism that troops have been killed and wounded after being forced to travel by land.
Armed Forces minister Bill Rammell said: "We recognise the importance of helicopters in Afghanistan.
"The deployment of the Merlin helicopters is evidence of our ongoing commitment to increase capacity, and further improvements to helicopter capability in Afghanistan will follow over the next 12 months."
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Friday 17 February 2012
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