Posted on 02/06/2008 2:55:04 PM PST by Leisler
THE Army has run out of machine guns, The Sun can reveal.
The crisis is unlikely to be solved before JUNE, a leaked report reveals.
British troops “desperately” need 400 of the jumbo 0.5in calibre heavy machine guns – the weapon most acutely missed.
The Army has also run out of the 7.62mm GPMG and Minimis.
Supply has collapsed partly because of a dispute with the manufacturers, Manroy – which also provides weapons to Saudi Arabia.
The leaked report – prepared for the Army’s command centre in Wilton, Wilts – reveals that generals have urged the Ministry of Defence “to prevent Manroy delivering Saudi weapons ahead of our requirement”.
Generals asked the US to help but were snubbed by the Pentagon – who have dubbed British colleagues “The Borrowers”.
The report says: “We are trying to get 400 guns transferred from the US. However, the material was provided by US DoD and they are not prepared to release them. MoD-level engagement is needed to try and get these released.”
The crisis is having a crippling effect on training in the UK – with all available spares being rushed to war zones.
Almost HALF the Minimi Light Machine Guns used at Catterick and Brecon are also out of commission.
The report adds: “The original spares package was inadequate and usage has been far above that expected. As a result stocks are very fragile.”
Tory MP and ex-Army officer Patrick Mercer said last night: “Thank God the Army have still got their bayonets – it looks like they may be all they’ll have left. This could have been dealt with months ago.
“Yet again, our fighting men are being imperilled by MoD incompetence.”
Last night an MoD spokeswoman insisted: “We have enough guns for operations.
“We recognised a need to increase overall supply and took steps to address this.”
Sorry, but I can’t loan them any of mine.
And it's not like England has ever been attacked before nor will it ever be. WWII? Never happened. Winston Churchill? It's more obvious every year that he was nothing more than a myth while Chamberlain was the greatest statesman the world has ever known.
Besides, if there ever would be trouble, the muslims will come to Britain's rescue and make everything all better again.
Hillary, Obama and Johnny will be along in a few months to relieve you of your weapons, your “extra” money and your freedom of speech. I feel safer already!
Hmmm...ran out of breath typing and reading that one.
That Minimi they want is our M249 SAW, still made by FN.
“Hillary, Obama and Johnny will be along in a few months to relieve you of your weapons...
They have to find them first.
Same here.
Oh...it wasn't free. Britain had to give America a great deal. Just not in cash.
I hope that this will serve to remind us all as to how far a great power can fall in such a short period of time.
So is a Ma Deuce called a Mum Deuce in Britain?
The UK and the rest of Europe has been getting by the cheap on national defense because we have been there to take up the slack. All there monies have gone to social programs and there simply are none left for national defense. It’s exactly where we are headed in 2009. Hold on to your girdles.
I’m not sure if anyone is making new M2s, but I bet there are 10 of thousands in cosmoline somewhere.
I heard that somewhere also, but I am not sure. No doubt more could be made if needed.
I'd be happy to store a couple of M2s for 'em. Heck, I'd even clean 'em and make sure they were operable every so often. They need 'em, I just pop 'em down to Fedex. Signature required, of course.
We’re doin it with aircraft, seems they ran out of Nimrods....
90 years old and still going strong.
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