The government has agreed to budget for 22 new Chinook helicopters to increase air support on the frontline in Afghanistan. Photograph: Sean Clee/MoD/PAMoD Gets £1bn For Equipment But Will Lose Aircraft And Thousands Of Jobs -- The Guardian
• Chinooks to arrive in 2013 as RAF Cottesmore to close
• Plan unveiled as two more UK soldiers die in Helmand
The government today bowed to pressure from defence chiefs by providing a £1bn-plus boost for frontline equipment, paid for mainly by cuts in the number of aircraft and the loss of an RAF bomber base and thousands of jobs.
In the first steps in what is expected to be a more radical shakeup in military expenditure, Bob Ainsworth, the defence secretary, announced the purchase of 22 new US Chinook helicopters – though they will not be deployed until 2013 at the earliest – and a US C17 transport aircraft.
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More News On Britain's Defense Budget
Watchdog warns of 'black hole' in budget -- Financial Times
U.K. Audit Bodes Cuts By Military -- Wall Street Journal
Britain boosts Afghan mission with deep defence cuts -- AFP
British military makes cuts to pay for Afghan war -- China View
MP attacks RAF base closure plan -- BBC
FAQ: Defence spending winners and losers -- The Guardian
A few more Chinooks are not going to solve our defence crisis -- Con Coughlin, the Telegraph