New gear for the British army?

Question

when is Britain going to upgrade its armed forces soon for example new machines that's ideal for desert conditions, protective clothing not just a helmet and bullet proof vest, new rifle, and better radios for communication.

Answer 1

The Army is always developing and testing new equipment, in the last 20 years all the equipment issued to troops has been changed, some of it several times.

the helmet and body armour are about the best there is, lighter and more practical than the stuff I was issued with when I was in. The new Wolf land rover is built to MOD spec, soldiers now have a personal radio set, whan I was in we had for a section of 8 men. Warrior is arguably the best Armoured personnel carrier alongside the Marder and Bradleys and Chellenger 2 is on the same par as Abrams and Leopard 2.

I fail to see your argument!

Answer 2

definately need a new weapon.

sa-80 is quite inadequate to be honest. it is only suitable for right handed use and firing around the right side of cover. if left you get shell casings firing in your face.

Answer 3

we probably would if the government imposed a proper tax for the army, like they used to have a hundred years or so ago.

Answer 4

They don't have any of that?

For FF's sake! Bring 'em back! :\ They're out there naked!

Answer 5

Probably when they've used up all the surplus stock of the last equipment issue. In a Field Ambulance (that's a medical unit, not a vehicle) in Germany in 1965 we were issued with pyjamas that had originally been made for use in the Boer war in 1897.

Answer 6

Hi,

I have recently been to London and Northern England after serving for the United States. Whilst there with the British military, the "hope of Britain" David Cameron has said, he will luxuriate the homes and improve the hospital conditions. They are also now in Northern England designing new technology and war machines that are practically invincible to most war heads and are also improving the weaponry and the armour.

Yours,

Craig James.

Answer 7

well yes there's that!!! and also there is there homes when they come back from tour! I'm a army wife back here in the Uk and you should see the slum where in.

Answer 8

Errm, well.

The current generation of vehicles work well in dessert condition - provided the correct air filters & tires are fitted. Its a challenging environment for any vehicle and things will wear out due to grit abrasion faster than they would in temperate climbs. The real issue is vehicles that provide reasonable protection from IEDs and some against RPG type weapons, while not requiring a tank or APC. These are being procured "off the shelf" from a number of South African And US firms, a rarely sensible & apolitical bit of procurement...

No military forces wear anything but kelvars & vests, protection to the legs & arms that would actually provide any worthwhile protection would be a dire encumbrance. The problem has been a lack of vests, following deaths in theatre of recent years that have cited this deficiency it is now unheard of to see soldiers without one.

The rifle works fine, its a bit heavy not the most ergonomic thing going but is (at last) reliable and (has always been) accurate. The proliferation of LMGs had also improved infantry firepower.

The comms. issue is being dealt with; like all MOD procurement the pace is glacial, but full role out of a new system is very close.

The combat power of UK infantry and the gear they have is fairly satisfactory. What they really lack is enough heavy support assets and air cover. The RAF has wasted silly money on the Typhoon while the UK has failed to field a competant, cheap & low maintenance CAS plane (al the US A10) in decades.  

Answer 9

To Des above just a quick one, although the typhoon is expensive, it can do more than an a-10 alot more better the a-10's a bit of a one trick pony, albeit a good one, but one we can't afford. All aircraft have to be a multi-role unfortunately the a-10 isn't.

Answer 10

Lol. It ain't gonna happen. Too much corruption, too many back-handers in army purchasing. It would cost a fortune to upgrade. Do you really want to pay a lot more tax to pay for it? Didn't think so.