ShotOver
07-13-2004, 01:46 AM
Defence Minister Robert Hill said an extra 30 troops and six armoured vehicles would be sent to boost protection of forces already in Iraq.
"The government has decided to increase force protection in Iraq; it has accepted advice from the ADF that further protection is desirable for military trainers (and) for our diplomats," Senator Hill told reporters.
He said the trainers required further protection as they were operating from bases that were further afield and involved more travel by road.
Australia will begin deploying the Australian Light Armoured Vehicles (ASLAVs) and possibly the troops later this week.
The minister said the move would give Australian forces greater flexibility and reduce its reliance on the United States.
Senator Hill said the additional deployment was still below Australia's ceiling on troop numbers in Iraq, which was between 920 and 950.
The extra troops will take the number of personnel in Iraq to around 880.
The six extra armoured vehicles will double the number already deployed.
Senator Hill repeated that the government remained committed to stay in Iraq until the job was done.
"That's a dangerous environment for both military forces and for our officials," he said.
Senator Hill denied the new deployment was the result of a US request.
It was based on Australian Defence Force (ADF) advice, the minister said.
"This is a decision we have taken as a result of advice of the ADF, they have been doing a review, we've actually had ongoing reviews of force protection and security levels and the government has accepted advice that we should increase it in this way," he said.
The extra protection forces will take to 120 the number of troops on security detachment, while the six extra ASLAVs will boost the total number to 12.
İAAP 2004
http://news.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=4279
"The government has decided to increase force protection in Iraq; it has accepted advice from the ADF that further protection is desirable for military trainers (and) for our diplomats," Senator Hill told reporters.
He said the trainers required further protection as they were operating from bases that were further afield and involved more travel by road.
Australia will begin deploying the Australian Light Armoured Vehicles (ASLAVs) and possibly the troops later this week.
The minister said the move would give Australian forces greater flexibility and reduce its reliance on the United States.
Senator Hill said the additional deployment was still below Australia's ceiling on troop numbers in Iraq, which was between 920 and 950.
The extra troops will take the number of personnel in Iraq to around 880.
The six extra armoured vehicles will double the number already deployed.
Senator Hill repeated that the government remained committed to stay in Iraq until the job was done.
"That's a dangerous environment for both military forces and for our officials," he said.
Senator Hill denied the new deployment was the result of a US request.
It was based on Australian Defence Force (ADF) advice, the minister said.
"This is a decision we have taken as a result of advice of the ADF, they have been doing a review, we've actually had ongoing reviews of force protection and security levels and the government has accepted advice that we should increase it in this way," he said.
The extra protection forces will take to 120 the number of troops on security detachment, while the six extra ASLAVs will boost the total number to 12.
İAAP 2004
http://news.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=4279