Defence Committee highlights Iraq war failings

British armed forces fighting in Iraq last year were hampered by hurried deployment, inadequate supplies and a lack of time for proper in-theatre training, according to the Commons Defence Committee.

The committee's three-volume, cross-party report, 'Lessons of Iraq', was compiled following nearly a year of evidence-taking, and lists 131 lessons that should be learned from the conflict. The report calls on the government to address a number of "critical issues" that put armed forces under "undue" pressure and stretched them "close to their limits".

The committee concluded that there was a "lack of adequate planning" for the situation in post-conflict Iraq. It said that the inability, particularly in the early post-conflict stage, to provide the scale of resources required limited the effectiveness of UK troops and squandered Iraqi "good will".

The committee, however, was fulsome in its praise of the British armed forces for their performance on the battlefield.

"The UK’s military operation in Iraq was a significant achievement, demonstrating again that the men and women of the British armed forces are among the best in the world," according to the Defence Committee.

It added: "Most major equipment, such as the Challenger tank and the AS90 self-propelled gun, performed up to or above expectations. Over 85% of munitions launched by the RAF were precision guided and British forces secured their targets with very few casualties," the committee said.

However, a "more capable enemy" could have exposed "serious weaknesses" in the preparedness and resilience of UK forces – particularly in response to the potential threat from Iraqi chemical or biological weapons, the committee stated.

The report also identified marked problems in logistics, communication, intelligence, planning and co-ordination with the US.

Committee Chairman Bruce George said: “Our troops showed themselves to be equal to the best in the world. They displayed outstanding courage, professionalism and resourcefulness. But when they face situations where their lives are in danger, they must have complete confidence that everything is being done at higher levels to enable them to discharge their duties safely and effectively.

“It is time now for the government and the Ministry of Defence to look carefully at our recommendations and conclusions and act upon them quickly and comprehensively.”

The committee announced its intention to look into the ‘Lessons of Iraq’ on 11 April 2003. It took evidence on 19 occasions from 48 witnesses and met with many units of the armed forces who contributed to the operation, as well as visiting Iraq in July 2003.

(gmcg)