More helicopter news

The news that the six Merlin helicopters due to go to Helmand in December do not have Kevlar armour does not surprise me. The political imperative is to provide helicopters, so helicopters will be provided. So what if the helicopters are inadequately protected and could be the flying equivalent of snatch Land Rovers, why should the government care? It is enough that Gordon Brown will be able to get up and report that even more helicopters have been sent to Afghanistan and if some soldiers die or are horribly maimed, well that's too bad. When will people understand the priorities of this Labour government?