14.1 | Military equipment (post-conflict)

387. On 3 August, Maj Gen Dutton reported:

“… the threat from IEDs is worrying, with our Electronic Countermeasures unable

to defend against the victim operated Passive Infra Red and the use of EFPs and

(in the most recent attack) shaped charges able to penetrate armoured vehicles

[…] if used accurately. This technology has now been used across MND(SE) and

indeed further north having first been seen in Maysan.”196

388. Following Lord Drayson’s visit to Iraq in early July, Mr Ingram sought advice on the

protective capability of RAF Land Rovers on 19 August.197

389. PJHQ advised that three Land Rover variants were used by the RAF Regiment,

of which Snatch was “the most highly protected”. Its allocation across theatres was

“centrally managed” on the basis of “relative priority” for those troops most at risk.

That inevitably meant:

“… compromises which mean that individual theatres receive fewer than is ideal.

That said, a greater allocation of Snatch to Iraq is not currently judged to be

operationally essential.”

390. PJHQ wrote that there were “some 380 Snatch Land Rovers deployed” in Iraq,

“(including 64 Snatch 2), against a liability of 420”. The Snatch 2 programme was under

way and 66 of the “updated vehicles” had already arrived in theatre.

391. There were “no spare Snatch” to deploy to Iraq, and the production line was

“currently devoted to non‑air conditioned variants”. The programme would “not address

the numbers” of vehicles available but would “enhance the capability” of the vehicles

deployed. DLO intended to return the number of Snatch deployed in Iraq to the agreed

level of 420 “as soon as suitable vehicles” were produced.

392. The process of allocating priorities in Iraq, in common with all operations, involved

“acceptance of risk in some areas”. While PJHQ sought “to reduce this risk as much

as possible”, it was “impossible to eliminate”. Since Lord Drayson’s visit, six Snatch

vehicles had been allocated to the RAF Regiment. The number of vehicles allocated

to the RAF Regiment was “judged to be commensurate with current threat levels” and

would “continue to be subject to review”.

393. PJHQ stated that: “Theatre assigns its Snatch assets in line with the currently

assessed areas of highest risk and operational policy.”

196 Report, 3 August 2005, ‘CG MND(SE) – Southern Iraq Update – 3 August 2005’.

197 Note PJHQ [junior official] to PS/Minister(AF), 19 August 2005, ‘Iraq: Equipment – Follow‑up

to Minister(DP)’s Visit Report’.

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