Iraq: More Brit soldiers die in Land Rover

bbcnews: Two British soldiers have died after a roadside bomb attack in southern Iraq.

The soldiers, from the 2nd Battalion Royal Anglian Regiment, were on routine patrol in an armoured** Land Rover just outside Basra when the device exploded.

A third soldier was injured in the same incident at 2345 local time on Saturday, the Ministry of Defence said. Defence Secretary Des Browne said: "My deepest sympathies and thoughts are with their families and friends at this very difficult time." Read more

db: **Unless the BBC knows something that we don't - which is of course quite probable - this 'armoured Land Rover' would be yet another example of the useless 'snatch' vehicle - where the 'armour' is composite glass fibre designed to stop rifle fire. Lieutenant-Colonel Nick Henderson, commander of the 1st Battalion, Coldstream Guards, resigned over the lack of protection they offer - and the MoD's refusal to supply something better.

Interestingly, the Telegraph reported recently that whilst the troops in Iraq continue to operate with the useless Land Rover, troops in Afghanistan will get the Austrian manufactured armoured Pinzgauer [see below]. The MoD are to place an order for 80 of them - at a reasonable cost of 35 million quid. Begs the question.... well you work it out. Don't get too excited though - delivery on the Pinzgauer's is not anticipated until summer 2007 at the earliest, by which time quite a few soldiers ... well, you work it out.

See Mr Reid Browne - Why no armored Landrovers for Brits in Iraq?

Not for Iraq