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14.1  |  Military equipment (post-conflict)
152.  The Review noted that CPA(South) had “yet to extend its influence” beyond Basra
City. The arrival of Sir Hilary Synnott as Head of Coalition Provisional Authority (South)
was the “first recent sign of this state of affairs improving; but without the people,
protected mobility, communications and life support Sir Hilary will not have the means at
his disposal to implement the changes he requires”. It said that Governorate Teams were
also “under resourced” and “barely exist” outside Basra.
153.  In the short term, 16 vehicles were recommended (four Land Rovers and 12 white
fleet 4x4s73) to support the staff in Governorate Teams. There was an additional
requirement for six “stripped down Land Rovers to provide top cover escorts” for
CPA(South) staff operating inside Basra City, including for consultants.
154.  The Review stated that the enduring requirement for greater surveillance capability
was “urgent”. The existing force protection measures limited the ability to “observe a
situation from the ground”.
155.  The Review articulated the requirement for light protected mobility:
“The threat posed to CF [Coalition Forces] within Basra City from IED, RPG and
small arms attacks is currently being countered by the use of stripped‑down
Land Rovers with top cover sentries. This necessarily carries a risk to the top cover
vehicles from attack, particularly from IEDs. Force protection will be improved by
the provision of up‑armoured 4x4 vehicles that meet the broad definitions below.
Replacing the full complement of this in the UK Bde [brigade] would require of
the order of 420 vehicles. The minimum quantity to provide essential protected
movement in Basra and Maysan is 228. Any lower number will be put to good use
in accordance with priorities. The requirement is for:
An agile wheeled vehicle capable of swift acceleration and speed in excess
of 60 mph.
A high degree of protection against small arms fire and blast devices.
A cupola to allow top cover protection to deter attackers, particularly those
deploying anti‑armour weapons and small arms.
… [G]rills to give windows protection against thrown objects, both to enhance
routine protection and to enable its use in public order situations where a Warrior
[AFV] may be too threatening or unable to manoeuvre in small streets.”
156.  The Review also “strongly recommended” that at least one battlegroup in each UK
brigade be equipped with four companies74 of Warrior as it was the “only infantry vehicle
with protection against RPG”.
73  A white fleet 4x4 is an unarmoured Army vehicle.
74 A military company is a type of military unit that consists of between 80 and 250 soldiers.
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