FactCheck: Cameron's copter claims
Updated on 15 July 2009
David Cameron makes his own claims about the number of helicopters British troops have access to, but did he check his facts better than Gordon Brown?
The claim
"We have 500 helicopters as a country. Less than 30 are in Afghanistan."
Conservative leader David Cameron, prime minister's questions, 15 July 2009
The analysis
According to a parliamentary response earlier this year, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) has a total of 524 helicopters; this does not include the eight Chinook helicopters that are being refitted in the UK.
While the MoD will not confirm the number of helicopters deployed to Afghanistan (for security reasons), it is understood the total is around 23 or 24.
So Cameron's claim is broadly correct, however, it has to be balanced out by the fact that not all of those 500-plus helicopters are capable of moving troops from A to B anyway, which is the crucial requirement in the context of the current row about adequate equipment levels.
Such airlift capacity allows soldiers to avoid roadside bombs, and the like, by travelling in the air.
In fact, much of the UK's helicopter stock are attack aircraft such as the Apache, which are not designed to move troops around in any great numbers.
How many of the 524 helicopters are fit for purpose is another matter, however...
The claim
"A 60 per cent increase in the number of helicopters compared to three years ago, when we had half the number of troops."
Conservative leader David Cameron, prime minister's questions, 15 July 2009
The analysis
This contrast by Cameron relates to Brown's claim during PMQs, and previously, that helicopter numbers had increased by a higher percentage than troop numbers in the past two years. Brown's 60 per cent claim relates to the period November 2006 to April 2009.
Defence minister Des Browne confirmed in July 2006 that "when current deployment to Afghanistan is complete", around 5,000 British troops would be in Afghanistan.
Following this week's announcement, the total will have risen to 9,100 - an 82 per cent increase in two-and-a-half years. Above Brown's 60 per cent; but below Cameron's 100 per cent claim.
So it appears the truth lies somewhere inbetween both Cameron and Brown's claims, but that helicopter numbers have not increased at a higher rate than troop numbers.
The claim
"American marines have approximately the same number of troops supported by 100 helicopters. Our troops are supported by fewer than 30."
Conservative leader David Cameron, prime minister's questions, 15 July 2009
The analysis
FactCheck is awaiting a response from US Department of Defense. To be updated shortly.
Michael O'Hanlon, who specialises in national security policy at the Brookings Institution in Washington, told FactCheck: "a marine brigade [US] like the one now in Helmand would have well over 100 itself I believe."
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