Germany buys better armoured vehicle for Afghan force

Dec 22, 2010, 11:22 GMT

Berlin - Germany is purchasing better armoured vehicles for its military fighting the Taliban in Afghanistan, defence ministry sources in Berlin said Wednesday.

The move comes amid conflicting signals from Berlin about the deployment. The government officially said last week it would begin drawing down the force at the end of next year - but Defence Minister Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg has suggested more time is needed.

Soldiers have complained that they are in danger because their armoured cars have vulnerabilities to snipers and mines.

The sources said Berlin would buy Mark 2 versions of the Dingo, an armoured car, and was studying whether to ship up to eight Tiger helicopter gunships to Afghanistan.

Germany has no ground attack aircraft in Afghanistan and relies on US air force cover or its own long-range artillery pieces to bomb Taliban positions. Germany has up to 5,000 soldiers with the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF).

The ministry confirmed a report in the Financial Times Deutschland that the army would also ensure it had seven remote-controlled robots permanently available to detect and disable roadside bombs and booby traps.

Previously it announced the purchase of 157 armoured trucks made by Rheinmetall MAN Military Vehicles, the new Multi A4 FSA type. Berlin has also ordered 195 Eagle IV vehicles, a type of armoured jeep.

Germany has been re-equipping since the Taliban opened a new front into northern Afghanistan where German forces are based.

Read more about Afghanistan Conflict

Read more about Defence

Read more about Germany