UK ups spending to protect troops in Afghanistan war

LONDON: Britain will spend 150 million pounds ($248 million) to protect its troops in Afghanistan from roadside bombs, the devices responsible for the deaths of many of the 100 British soldiers killed by the Taliban this year, an official said yesterday.

Defense Secretary Bob Ainsworth will outline the plans to parliament today as part of a wider statement on defense equipment priorities. The measure could be accompanied by some cuts in defense spending as the government tightens its belt to rein in a ballooning public deficit.

Prime Minister Gordon Brown has been accused of failing to give British soldiers enough protection from the bombs.