Minister fights back over desert tests

The problems were discovered on exercises

The UK could successfully deploy a rapid reaction force overseas despite military equipment failing during exercises in Oman, says Armed Forces Minister Adam Ingram.

He went on the offensive after it emerged that tanks, helicopters, guns, lifting equipment, boots and clothing all struggled in desert exercises.

The purpose of the exercise was to see if there were any weaknesses

Adam Ingram

Equipment either failed to work properly or fell apart in high temperatures in Oman last year, according to a report by the National Audit Office.

The shortcomings highlighted suggest that Britain may have difficulties if, as increasingly speculated, it joins a possible US-led land invasion of Iraq.

Former servicemen say equipment failures are a cause for concern.

And Liberal Democrat defence spokesman Paul Keetch said the shortcomings were "nothing short of a disgrace".

David Clark, leader of the NAO report team, told BBC Radio 4's Today programme the operation had been a success in many ways but there were some "very significant" problems.

Kit worse than in Gulf war
Click here for a veteran's view

But Mr Ingram said work was already under way to upgrade equipment - however this would take time.

He told Today that the report - which described the operation overall as a "major success" - had proved that the UK could successfully deploy a rapid reaction force overseas.

The SA80 rifle jammed

"The purpose of the exercise was to see if there were any weaknesses... that's what an exercise is about," he said.

"It confirms things we knew were happening at the time. It puts on record that which we now need to address, some of which was already being addressed anyway.

"There are major upgrade programmes in place, major replacement programmes in place. These things don't happen overnight - they do take time, they need funding."

Vital equipment

But defence and weapons expert Mike Yardley said it was "of great concern" that two basic infantry tools - the SA80 rifle and communications system - were deficient.

Some problems

Tank filters clogged

Ageing radio system "incapable"

AS90 gun filters melted

Helicopter parts unserviceable

Lynx rotor blades lasted just 27 hours

SA80 rifles jammed

Shortage of forklift trucks

Boots melted or fell apart

The former Royal Armoured Corps officer said problems with armoured vehicles could hinder rapid deployment.

Kit had improved in recent years and tanks had always been prone to break down in desert conditions.

But the army had to review its tactics, strategy and equipment procurement rather than focusing on "European theatres of war."

Gulf War veteran Brian Tooze said some of the problems - such as the SA80 rifle jamming in the heat - were so long-standing they affected troops in Iraq in 1990-1991.

Defence officials had not kept pace with changing demands of warfare, he told BBC News Online.

"They keep telling us the world has changed but they obviously didn't purchase equipment to cope with the new threat," he said.

Boots disintegrated

The report found a catalogue of failings.

The most severe problems were with the Challenger 2 tanks, where dust clogged up the tanks' air filters halting within four hours.

The Clansman radio system - due to be replaced in two years time - was so useless tank crews had to get into a "huddle" to communicate.

There was also a shortage of desert combat suits and boots, and normal army boots melted in the heat.

Some of the extra desert boots from old war stocks quickly fell apart and some troops developed foot rot.

Plastic air filters on the mobile AS90 self-propelled guns melted in the heat.

Almost half the helicopter fleet was out of action at any one time.

The exercise suffered staff shortages including engineers, signallers, intelligence staff and medics.