Not that I like Buff, (wasn't he in CND round about the time I was keeping the pinkos out of camp?) or want to make excuses for logistical cock-ups, but Let's not pretend cr@p kitting and equipment is a new problem or an exclusively British phenomenon.
Back in the 80's the flack jackets we used to get issued with weren’t exactly much use at stopping anything more than a strong breeze, did you see Heseltine offering his resignation every time some poor sod got blown away? What was the answer to the requests for Kevlar? Costs too much......
Our forbears had to fly in obsolete aircraft, (look at the loss rates for Blemheims or the RFC for April 1917) were there calls for the War Minister's resignation?
Have a look at len Deighton's 'Declarations of War' there is an interesting tale about a soldier from antiquity complaining about his kit....
Historically the politicians of whatever shade haven't put us first, and never will. I don't approve, but it's a fact of life.
Regards
-nick