Larger than expected number of additional aircraft and troops to be deployed
The UK will deploy at least nine more aircraft to Afghanistan early this year as part of a fresh commitment to NATO's International Security Assistance Force (ISAF), to also include the arrival of another 1,400 British troops.
ISAF's close air support capabilities in southern Afghanistan are to be boosted through the arrival of an additional four BAE Systems Harrier GR9A ground-attack aircraft from the UK's Joint Force Harrier. These will increase the number of UK Harriers deployed to Kandahar airfield to 10. The UK Ministry of Defence announced last month that its current Harrier detachment will remain in Afghanistan until 2009, marking a continual presence for the type since September 2004.
UK support helicopter services in Helmand province - currently provided using eight Royal Air Force Boeing CH-47 Chinook HC2 transports - will also be expanded through the arrival of four Westland Sea King HC4 commando assault helicopters from the Royal Navy's 846 Naval Air Squadron. This will be the first time the UK has deployed Sea King HC4s to the ISAF mission. The aircraft will "primarily work on medical evacuation tasks to release medium-lift and other helicopter duties", says minister for defence procurement Lord Drayson.
A fifth Lockheed Martin C-130J/K Hercules tactical transport will also be deployed to Afghanistan as part of the UK's commitment, which will see its troop level in the country rise to 7,700 personnel. It will also include "additional reconnaissance and surveillance capabilities", says the MoD. This is expected to include the continued commitment of unmanned air vehicles and British Aerospace Nimrod MR2 maritime patrol aircraft.
Source: Flight International
