The Snatch Land Rover is a ‘protected patrol vehicle’, based on the Land Rover Defender 110 chassis, intended for general patrolling in low-threat areas and is the successor to the Truck Utility Medium (TUM) with Vehicle Protection Kit (VPK). The vehicle was developed for use in Northern Ireland during the Troubles, in 1992, for rural patrolling. It was designed to and provide some degree of small arms protection for occupants and a limited level of protection from Improvised Explosive Devices and off-route mines.
The ‘Snatch’ is one of a range of vehicles which remains in use in Northern Ireland as well as the Iraq and Afghanistan operational areas.
Deployment of the vehicle has been the subject of criticism as a consequence of a number of kinetic attacks which have exceeded the level of protection available, leading to occupant deaths and serious injury. Consequently, alternatives to the Snatch have been arranged by the MOD, the ‘Light Protected Patrol Vehicle’ (‘LPPVs’).
Force Protection Europe has been chosen as the preferred provider of the LPPVs
The first vehicles are expected to be available to troops for training in 2011, with the total number ordered still subject to negotiation.
The LPPV features tough blast protection and will be able to carry a crew of up to six.
Minister for Defence Equipment, Support and Technology , Peter Luff, has commented: "Small, agile but highly protected, the LPPV is at the forefront of technology. It will offer troops unprecedented levels of blast protection for such a light vehicle, enabling them to carry out a wide range of tasks, whilst moving with ease through narrow alleyways or crossing bridges.
"It will be a valuable addition to the vehicles already available to commanders in Afghanistan, and demonstrates the government's commitment to providing our troops with the very best equipment on the front line. I'm delighted to announce that negotiations can now begin to get these vehicles out to theatre as soon as possible."
In 2006, the then Defence Secretary , Des Browne ordered a review of the Snatch Land Rovers, which had increasingly become known as "soft targets".
But the month-long review concluded the vehicles provided the best mobility for the difficult terrain of Iraq and Afghanistan.
In December 2007, Mr Browne met with some of the families, including Mr Bacon, who called for the vehicles to be removed from action.
The vehicles hit the headlines again when Cpl Sarah Bryant, the first British woman killed on duty in Afghanistan, and three male SAS reservists died on 17 June 2008 when their Land Rover was destroyed by a landmine.
At least 37 UK soldiers have died in Iraq and Afghanistan while travelling in the lightly armoured Snatch Land Rover; its vulnerability to roadside bombs and other explosives led some soldiers to call it the "mobile coffin".
Col Stuart Tootal, former commander of 3 Para, the first battle group sent to Afghanistan's restive Helmand province, told the BBC that soldiers would be pleased but the Army could not afford delays in choosing the right equipment.
He said: "I think there is general disappointment in many areas of the armed services that equipment takes too long to be replaced when it's found to be inadequate, but at the same time that has to be balanced against the fact that the lessons are being learned and that a lot more equipment and a lot better equipment is now coming in at a faster pace."
The inadequacies of the Snatch Land Rover have been discussed several times during the Iraq inquiry.
Paul Kernaghan from the Association of Chief Police Officers said he refused to allow police officers sent to Iraq to be driven around in the vehicles, while former Army chief Gen Sir Richard Dannatt confirmed he felt the problem of the Land Rovers should have been dealt with earlier.
He told the inquiry: "'We worked round the problem, we didn't actually confront the problem. It has been a definitive negative and we are paying to some extent the price for that in Afghanistan."
Author Resource:
Written for Hilary Meredith Solicitors by Olwyn Kinsey expert in Military Accidents .
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