Commenting on today’s NAO report on Britain’s Hercules aircraft, Liberal Democrat Shadow Defence Secretary, Nick Harvey said:

“This report is further evidence that our continued presence in Iraq is draining the life from equipment that is desperately needed in Afghanistan.

“Overstretch and the impact of wars on two fronts has taken a heavy toll on the Hercules fleet.

“As Sir Jock Stirrup said this week, the Armed Forces are simply not set up for fighting two enduring operations simultaneously.

“The Hercules are operating in demanding and hostile environments. The older aircraft are operating beyond their original retirement date and are increasingly expensive to keep airworthy. Read more »

Concerned that the continued involvement of the British armed forces on two fronts is overstretching our troops, on Monday Nick raised the following question in the House:

  Nick Harvey (Shadow Secretary of State for Defence, Defence; North Devon, Liberal Democrat)

Can the Secretary of State cast any light on the BBC reports of a week or so ago that by the end of the year the Government would be in a position to announce a timetable for withdrawal from Iraq? We have heard President Bush warn against it, but yesterday the Foreign Secretary said in a BBC interview:

“We have to complete what we have started and the priority… was the training of the 14th Division around Basra.”

What is the Government’s estimate of the time scale for completion of that work? Are there any other specific projects that we “have to complete” before we have concluded our task? Will we be in a position to tell a new United States President next January that the sustainability of our long-term commitment in Afghanistan necessitates a timetable for withdrawal from Iraq? Read more »

Commenting on the Government’s announcement of the deployment of further troops to Afghanistan, expected to bring the total to over 8000, Liberal Democrat Shadow Defence Secretary, Nick Harvey said:

“Further support for the vital work our troops are doing in Afghanistan is welcome.

However, the Government is still failing to address the pressing issue of overstretch in our armed forces. Read more »

Commenting on the BBC’s report that the final withdrawal of British troops from Iraq could be announced by the end of the year, Liberal Democrat Shadow Defence Secretary, Nick Harvey said:
“Reports of plans for the final withdrawal of British troops from Iraq are very welcome. Liberal Democrats have been pressing for this for some time. Read more »

Today the NAO released a report on airworthiness problems with Britain’s Chinook helicopters. In response to the findings of the report our Shadow Defence Secretary Nick Harvey expressed his disbelief:

“Even by the usual standards of MoD procurement sagas, this report really beggars belief.

 It is scandalous that while our troops are desperate for helicopters in Afghanistan, eight Chinooks have been left on the tarmac back in Britain. Read more »

Commenting on today’s call by a coroner for the entire RAF Nimrod fleet to be grounded, Liberal Democrat Shadow Defence Secretary, Nick Harvey said:

This is an unprecedented call which will shake the MoD to its foundations. Unless it can show there will be grave operational consequences for our forces on the ground, the Government must make plans to ground the Nimrod fleet.

 Our armed forces are doing an incredible and difficult job in taking on the Taliban. It is scandalous that they also have to worry about the threat to their lives posed by the neglect of their own Government. Read more »