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Added: Friday, 17 July, 2009, 09:26 GMT 10:26 UK

Helicopters are not always safer. In N. Ireland the IRA started targeting them and found them to be very vunerable (remember black hawk down). When you factor in the additional losses from pilot errors, and mechanical failures it will even out. This is made worse by the altitude and temperatures of Afghanistan. In these conditions helicopters are very limited in load and power and are even more vunerable.

Dean, Maidenhead, UK, England,

Added: Thursday, 16 July, 2009, 23:18 GMT 00:18 UK

More helicopters will not stop our troops being killed by road side bombs or missiles being fired into the camps, which is a daily occurrence from what my brother says who is out there now for the 4th time in 2 years. Wake up, the argument of under resources is whipped up to cover up what is going on or not political at home, it takes your mind off other issues. Its not only our troops out there but other personnel like NHS nurses and doctors who take time of their day job and volunteer to go.

Mrs J, Manchester, UK, England,

Added: Thursday, 16 July, 2009, 22:42 GMT 23:42 UK

Interesting, that when politico's "visit" hot area's, war zones, THEY ALWAYS use helicopters to get around, pretty safe, eh ?

Steve, Llangefni, UK, Wales,

Added: Thursday, 16 July, 2009, 22:18 GMT 23:18 UK

The same old thing spin from goverment, these troops need more helicopters and armed vechiles to protect them. Take for example South Africa has more than enought armed vehiles and if they are good enough for the UN why not for the british troops. We have old and tested vehiles with the "V" shape taking the blast away from troops, that we have used in the bush war against Angola in the 80's so we have the technology and experians to deal with this problem.

neil, London, UK, England,

Added: Thursday, 16 July, 2009, 22:12 GMT 23:12 UK

Some people fail to realise that the Army's foremost priority is not to preserve the lives of its troops, but to complete its mission. People who are saying it is unnacceptable that troops are dying are being unrealistic. Of course it is tragic, but if helicopters are not the most important factor in completing the mission, regardless of loss, then they should not be top priority. The Armed forces are unlike any other group in society, in that life preservation does not take centre stage.

Will Amos, Newport, UK, Wales,

Added: Thursday, 16 July, 2009, 22:10 GMT 23:10 UK

Does Mr Opik know what he is talking about, my company is making trailers right now for the MOD, they are the highest specification trailers we have ever made. This is part of an order for thousands of new MAN trucks, the military have have had new tank transporters, new tankers, new step frame trailers and so it goes on. I would like Mr Opik to come to my factory and find out for himself what we are making.Andover

Ivan Collins, Southampton, UK, England,

Added: Thursday, 16 July, 2009, 22:08 GMT 23:08 UK

This government has £1trillion pounds to bail out the banks, but not the money to buy helicopters for our hero troops, who are dying because of this government's total lack of support to them!

Kevin, Camden Town, UK, England,

Added: Thursday, 16 July, 2009, 22:05 GMT 23:05 UK

If Gordon Brown thinks that we have enough helicopter support for our lads,then why dosn't he put his neck on the line, on the frontline along side them,as long as they are there. So that he actually realises that they are men and women with families and not just another implement of war that is expendable and acceptable as a statistic of war.

Dave, Durham, UK, England,

Added: Thursday, 16 July, 2009, 22:05 GMT 23:05 UK

If Gordon Brown thinks that we have enough helicopter support for our lads,then why dosn't he put his neck on the line, on the frontline along side them,as long as they are there. So that he actually realises that they are men and women with families and not just another implement of war that is expendable and acceptable as a statistic of war.

Dave, Durham, UK, England,

Added: Thursday, 16 July, 2009, 22:03 GMT 23:03 UK

our boys need more helicopters, but the taliban will adapt, they will smuggle in from pakistan laws surface to air hand held rockets instead of explosives, instead of our army losing a land rover or jackel and a couple of men we will lose 40 to 60 men plus a chinooke and air crew and other essential kit

jackson david a, Swaby, UK, England,

Added: Thursday, 16 July, 2009, 22:03 GMT 23:03 UK

I have been listening with increasing exasperation as the Chairman repeatedly interrupts panellists as they answer questions. Let them give their answer and allow us to judge it without interrupting with additional questions and sarcastic comments. He has interrupted the minister twice and when the Financial times editor dared to say he agreed with the minister he was stopped in his tracks.

Ian Granlund, Sturminster Newton, UK, England,

Added: Thursday, 16 July, 2009, 22:03 GMT 23:03 UK

Many today will still remember the horrors and casualties of WW11. Were those troops sent into battle fully equipped? We also had the Falklands war and the Belgrano, and Desert Storm. We have a 21st century military force with technological weaponry. Nobody wants war and the inevitable casualties but I'm sure that the death tolls of both world wars will never again be matched.

Carole, Middlesbrough, UK, England,

Added: Thursday, 16 July, 2009, 22:03 GMT 23:03 UK

We don't live in the Victorian era - pity, they knew that you do not win in Afghanistan! The Brits should know that more than any other country in the world. America put the Taliban in place over the Norhtern Alliance - let the Yanks sort it out.

Dave Beeston, Skelmersdale, UK, England,

Added: Thursday, 16 July, 2009, 22:03 GMT 23:03 UK

Politicians should not be allowed to make decisions regarding equipment and manpower in any conflict. It should be left to the military to make their own decisions! They should also be given priority for funds from the budget.

Mike, Tonbridge, UK, England,

Added: Thursday, 16 July, 2009, 22:02 GMT 23:02 UK

its imorale that our troops in helmand can expect to win a war when the lack of equipment is rubbish,1 helicopter for 400 troops is rubbish. The americans have 1 helicopter for every 33 troops, gordon brown is basicly killing our troops! i do agree however that we have to be there, we have to stay there regardless of what the public say, looking back at ww2 would you want hitler to rule europe.. i don't think you would want that. so we have to have a presence there in helmand al'quida will win.

Richard, Manchester, UK, England,