An MP and former infantry officer has criticised as "hopeless" an armoured vehicle that is become a target for lethal roadside bomb attacks in Afghanistan.
Topy MP Patrick Mercer has spoken-out about the Scimitar FV107 light tank after the death of a fourth soldier killed by and IED blast while travelling in the vehicle.
The army's fleet Scimitars are "veteran" armoured vehicles dating back to the early 1970s with the first coming into service in 1971.
The latest man killed in a Scimitar was Trooper Phillip Lawrence of the Light Dragoons who who had volunteered to drive the aging vehicle when he was caught in a blast.
His body was flown home to the UK yesterday (THURS) and a funeral is being arranged in his home town of Birkenhead, Merseyside.
Mr Mercer, Chairman of the Commons Counter Terrorism Defence Sub-Committee claims the forces need new generation of armoured vehicles to better protect our troops.
Newark and Retford MP, Mr Mercer said: "I know every nut and bolt of the Scimitar vehicle and despite it still looking quite modern it is considerably aging and outdated.
"They were pretty hopeless and worn out when I used them 10 years ago.
"To be fair they have had many engine and armouring improvements since then and currently they are 'not bad' for what is required.
"They were due to be replaced by a Fres System - Future Rapid Response System - a few years ago but this was abandoned as it was too expensive.
"As the replacement program foundered due to mismanagement acquisition by the armed forces we are now left with a generation of older vehicles badly needing incremental improvements.
"We need a new generation of armoured vehicles.
"The Scimitar is far from ideal but it is currently the best light tank we have got. It is still as vunerable as any other vehicle we have got out there.
"The trouble with an armoured vehicles is you can take a bank vault and put it on tracks and this will not be pierced by an explosion but it will be thrown in such a way that everyone inside will be killed.
"The shear kinetic energy from these explosives makes travelling by vehicle extremely dangerous.
"There are vast improvements to be made to vehicles and and there are better vehicles to be had.
"Most frames of the Scimitar's were put together in the early 70's but they have been extensively changed and refurbished.
"Nevertheless is it lucky that these vehicles don't need insurance or an MOT."
Alvis built 486 Scimitar light tanks for the armed forces in the 1970s and since then they have been extensively re-fitted and overhauled.
Intended for use by reconnaissance regiments the Scimitar carries a 30-mm cannon, a 7.62-mm machine gun.
They weigh eight tonnes and are powered by a 5.9-liter diesel engine can reach speeds of up to 80 km/h.
An MOD Spokeswoman said: "Protection of our service men and women is paramount; this is why we have procured a range of vehicles to enhance force protection and give Commanders greater flexibility.
"Over the last 12 months we have placed contracts for several hundred new vehicles and invested heavily in further improvements to the physical protection of existing vehicles as threats have emerged.
"Scimitar is a light armoured vehicle providing both a Formation and Close Reconnaissance capability.
"The vehicle's exceptionally low ground pressure and small size make it useful where the terrain is hostile and movement difficult.
"A substantial package of modifications designed to mitigate problems resulting from the harsh environmental conditions experienced on operations in Afghanistan has since been developed for Scimitar and has been fielded to units.
"Commanders require a range of vehicles; it gives them the ability to choose the most appropriate vehicle for the particular mission, threat and task in hand.
"There is a role for Warrior, Mastiff, Ridgback, Panther, Snatch, Vector, Jackal and CVR(T) on operations as each has its own unique properties which will be relevant in some operational tasks.
"No vehicle can guarantee complete protection, any vehicle can be overmatched if faced with an overwhelming attack.
"Protection is derived from a combination of factors including armour, mobility and tactics techniques and procedures. Commanders need to be free to take a balanced judgement as to the most appropriate vehicle for a given task."
Robert, USA around 2 years, 6 months ago