British military shortages pose danger, report says

LONDON, Dec 13 (Reuters) A shortage of troops and equipment could compromise British military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, lawmakers said today.

The military is struggling to recruit, train and keep staff, while their work is expanding, a report by an influential parliamentary panel said.

Army chiefs have warned that Britain's forces are fully stretched, with 7,200 based in southern Iraq and nearly 6,000 more fighting a revitalised Taliban in Afghanistan.

Prime Minister Tony Blair, whose popularity plunged over the Iraq war, has come under pressure to improve pay and conditions for the armed forces.

Parliament's Defence Select Committee, which scrutinises defence ministry policy and spending, said the shortages would hit Britain's ability to ''fight the next war''.

The panel also raised concerns over the lack of helicopters in Iraq and Afghanistan, where Britain is a key US ally.

''They are operating in challenging conditions in insufficient numbers and without all the equipment they need,'' their report says.

''With problems of undermanning continuing, there is a clear danger that the armed forces will not be capable of maintaining current commitments over the medium-term.'' A fifth of Britain's armed forces are deployed on military operations.

Last week, former British army chief General Sir Mike Jackson said the government was ''asking too much'' of the armed forces.

''There is ... a mismatch between what we do and the resources we are given,'' he said.

In October, his successor, General Sir Richard Dannatt, sparked controversy when he said British troops had ''exacerbated'' problems in Iraq. He warned that his forces were badly stretched.

The opposition Conservative Party said Blair must take urgent steps to tackle shortages in the armed forces.

''He must address the mismatch between our military commitments and the decrease in our frontline capabilities,'' said Shadow Defence Secretary Liam Fox.

In a statement, the defence ministry said it was ''keenly aware'' of the burdens placed on its staff, but said the operations were sustainable.

''Commanders are content that the armed forces can cope with the current level of military commitments,'' it said.

REUTERS BDP BST1553