From the
Sunday Times article:-
BRITAIN is considering sending warplanes back to Afghanistan, six weeks after it officially ended its war in the country, after two direct pleas from the country’s president to David Cameron. A British general told The Sunday Times that he expected more troops and fast jets to be sent next year in what would be seen as an admission that Britain had withdrawn too quickly.
A senior RAF officer also revealed that plans and costings have been drawn up to send back the squadron of Tornados that recently returned from Afghanistan or a squadron of Typhoons to help Afghan troops.
That sort of deployment would require support from about 70 troops. Unmanned Reaper drones are another option to provide air support for Afghan troops, amid reports that the security situation is deteriorating so fast that it is making the levels of casualties unsustainable.
The Afghans have lost more than 4,500 men in the past year — more than Nato forces lost in the whole 13 years of the war. This year is on course to be the deadliest of the conflict so far.
“We always knew that air support was a problem,” said the general, who described the Afghan army as still “three years away from having their own air force”.
“What’s happened in Iraq combined with the spike in attacks in Afghanistan — and a wish to help the new government — has made everyone rethink.”
Abdullah Abdullah, the No 2 in the Afghan government, told The Sunday Times during a visit to London last week that international forces were leaving too early, particularly as a lot of time was lost this year because of hostility between Hamid Karzai, the former president, and western leaders.
“It is too abrupt,” Abdullah said. “Two years ago we had 150,000 international troops and lots of jets and helicopters. Within two months there will be just 12,000. We need air support for the medical evacuation of casualties, intelligence and fast jets.”
Downing Street last night denied that any decision had been made to send equipment and men to Afghanistan, saying the prime minister’s preference is that allies such as the United States, Germany and Turkey should help out instead.
Deep joy - a return to Camp Bastion. That will really raise morale...
