London: Britain has announced an equipment package worth 400 million pounds (around $627 million) for its troops in Afghanistan. The equipment include protected vehicles and technology to counter improvised explosive devices.
The announcement was made Thursday by defence secretary Philip Hammond, Xinhua reported.
Improvised explosive devices (IEDs) were the "single greatest threat" to British forces in Afghanistan, Hammond said.
He said improving the protection of British troops on the frontline was the military's number-one priority.
The package includes around 100 Foxhound protected vehicles, which employs cutting-edge technology and are expected to provide unprecedented levels of protection, said a statement from the ministry of defence.
A total of 391 British military personnel have died in Afghanistan since 2001.
Bureau Report
First Published: Friday, December 23, 2011, 09:08