Equipment Minister Sees New Battlefield Ambulance in Bastion

UK Ministry of Defence, The new Viking ambulance vehicles are among the various pieces of equipment that Baroness Ann Taylor, Minister for Defence Equipment and Support, has seen on her first visit to an operational theatre. 
 
Baroness Taylor met with troops from a number of different units, including the Royal Logistic Corps, Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (REME), Royal Medical Corps, Army Air Corps and 40 Commando. 
 
As the Minister in charge of equipment and support, this was an important opportunity for her to hear from troops on operations about the equipment they use and maintain. It also gave her the chance to see first-hand the conditions in Afghanistan that the troops and equipment operate in. 
 
The REME mechanics explained how difficult the dust and mud of Afghanistan makes their job. With few roads, the vehicles are often driving across rough ground, with clogging dust and mud getting into all the moving parts of the vehicles. The mechanics are trained across the whole fleet, and able to fix any of the range of vehicles in theatre. They may deploy forward with the troops for weeks at a time to make sure their vehicles are kept up to scratch. 
 
Amongst the latest equipment they are working with is the new Viking ambulance vehicle. This is essentially a regular Armoured Vehicle that has been fitted with a secure stretcher bay and medical equipment storage facilities to allow injured personnel to be extracted under fire. 
 
The Viking, originally procured to provide the marines with an amphibious vehicle, has proved hugely popular with troops in Afghanistan thanks largely to its all terrain capability and excellent protection. 
 
The ambulance variant is currently being trialled on operations, and it is expected to soon be used to get injured troops to a point of safety for helicopter evacuation. 
 
Baroness Taylor said of her visit: 
 
“Our troops in Afghanistan have demonstrated outstanding professionalism and commitment, and I have been deeply impressed by all the troops I have met here on my first visit to operations, from the Marines and their vehicles to the REME mechanics who maintain them, from the medical staff to the dog handlers. 
 
“As the Minister for equipment, the chance to see the conditions and hear from the troops has been extremely useful. I am very pleased by the positive feedback I have had on the vehicles and personal kit, where we have delivered a number of improvements in the last few years. 
 
“I want to ensure that our soldiers have the best equipment we can provide, and it is my responsibility to make sure we are constantly developing new equipment and technology to give them world class kit. I have seen a good range of vehicles from Mastiff to the new Viking ambulance vehicles which are just starting to operate here, examples of how we are developing new capabilities for front line forces.”