AMERICA is doubling the number of helicopters in southern Afghanistan, flying to the rescue of British troops who have complained that shortages in air support have left them vulnerable to Taliban roadside bombs.
The deployment of 250 additional helicopters will support the "surge" of 30,000 extra US soldiers and 7,100 Nato troops, who are planning to unleash their biggest array of firepower on insurgents in the new year.
"The gain of military capability is much bigger than the 30,000 headline figure suggests," said General Sir David Richards, Britain's army chief.
"We're talking about an extra 250 helicopters, for example, a whole load more counter-IED [improvised explosive device] specialists, loads more engineers and more use of counterterrorism."
A shortage of helicopters has been a long-running problem for British troops in Helmand, where the lack of good roads and the threat of IEDs make them reliant on air transport for troop movements, bringing in supplies and ferrying out the wounded. Commanders have repeatedly pleaded for more.
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Although Britain has only about 16 helicopters, resources are shared between the Nato ISAF forces and the separate US operation. Latest figures show there are already 450 helicopters in Afghanistan, half of which are in the south, with about 245 belonging to the US.
"The extra helicopters will give all ISAF troops terrific additional mobility and agility," said Richards. "Key to all military operations is achieving the element of surprise, which makes it easier to retain the initiative. The ability to move troops around more quickly and in relative safety increases their utility exponentially."
Calling it "a hugely powerful military enhancement package", Richards added: "It gives me real optimism for the long-suffering people of Afghanistan and for the enhanced long-term security of this country and others involved.
"We've never before managed to commit the scale of resources and organisational power to succeed. I'd characterise what has happened over the last eight years as strategic failure."
Richards warned that the surge could initially provoke an increase in violence. "As we tidy up the edges of areas we're currently in, that could lead to more casualties," he said. "We must expect that. This is a war.
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"But I'm clear, as happened in Iraq with counterinsurgency, more troops over time means fewer casualties. We just have to hold our nerve."
General Nick Parker, who as deputy commander of ISAF is Britain's most senior commander in Afghanistan, added: "I am sure there will be some pitched battles.
"What we are not saying is that we are turning into some peace corps on steroids. We still have to do the deadly business of war. There will be points when we are confronted by some people and we will have to fight them and kill them."