David Masters, the coroner involved in an investigation into the deaths of four members of the British armed forces in Iraq, has urged for improvements in troop protection.

The four soldiers in question lost their lives when the Warrior vehicle they were travelling in passed over a device under the ground. The incident occurred close to the province of Basra on April 5^th 2007.

Underneath of Warrior Armoured Vehicle Unprotected

The Warrior, although offering overhead and side protection, lacks this on the underside.

The device that killed the soldiers was at subterranean level and, once detonated, left a crater three feet in depth.

Mr Masters has spoken of his intention to discuss the issue of troop protection with Bob Ainsworth, Minister of State for Defence –an effort, he said, to “seek confirmation from the top that something was being done".

Hepper: Protection a “Big”, “Urgent” Issue

On the issue of the Warrior’s protection, armour expert Alan Hepper commented: "It's a big issue. We have been told to treat it as an urgent operational requirement. It is being pushed through with great pressure from the Ministry of Defence."

The soldiers killed in the incident were Kingsman Adam James Smith, Corporal Kris O’Neill, 2^nd Lieutenant Joanna Yorke Dyer and Private Eleanor Dlugosz – a group of service personnel aged between 19 and 27.

Corporal O’Neill’s mother, Valerie, has urged for more to be invested in the protection of troops.

"I raised the question of armour defence so no family has to go through what we've gone through”, she said.

"The money needs to be spent on defence for the troops. This can't happen again.

"The bombs have become more and more sophisticated. I hope the Government puts more money into giving the forces in Iraq and Afghanistan the best protection.”

Warrior's Electronic Counter Measures Device not Triggered

At the inquest currently being held, the Warrior was described as being equipped with a Electronic Counter-Measures device – which should have prevented the explosion of the bomb if it had been electronically detonated. The bomb in question, however, featured a command wire, thereby rendering it outside the ECM’s operational parameters.

Mr Masters stated: "It is encouraging - if any encouragement can be gained from something like this - that there is a very high-profile programme in place to research and develop new armour for the undersides of vehicles like this operating in Iraq and Afghanistan."

Source – Armed Forces International’s Political Correspondent

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