Bulldog Mk3 not used in Afghanistan

Monday, November 23, 2009

Over £149m has been spent upgrading the Army's Bulldog Mk2 armoured fighting vehicle, yet it is not suitable for use in Afghanistan, it has emerged.

Upgrades to the engine and transmission of the FV432, as well as extra armour and the inclusion of air conditioning were commissioned as an urgent operational requirement across the 900 Bulldogs for the war in Iraq.

The first uparmoured Bulldogs were used in Basra in November 2006.

However, the vehicles are not as suited to the ever-present threat of roadside bombs and mines found in Afghanistan as Mastiff and Ridgback, and are currently only used for training purposes back in the UK.

An MoD spokesperson said: "The Bulldog was specifically upgraded for use in Iraq where it played a key role in providing armoured protection for many personnel.

"In Afghanistan, where the terrain and threats are different, this role is performed by the Mastiff and Ridgback.

"The Bulldogs continue to have a role in training exercises in the UK."

The information was revealed following a freedom of information request by the Times newspaper.