Defensieforum.nl

[Lex]

The families of British soldiers killed and injured in action have attacked the "obscene" bonuses paid to defence officials since the start of the Iraq war.
The Ministry of Defence confirmed its civil servants have shared performance bonuses of more than £287m since 2003.
More than £47m was paid between April and October this year, according to figures which emerged in a written parliamentary reply from defence minister Kevan Jones to shadow defence secretary Liam Fox.
Bereaved families said the bonuses were "absolutely disgusting" at a time when troops were being "short changed" in salaries and equipment.
Hazel Hunt, whose son Private Richard Hunt died in Afghanistan in August, said it was "obscene".
"I would take great exception to bonuses paid for 'exceptional performance'," she said.
They are not delivering and I think it is obscene they have got such bonuses while our troops are being short changed; not only in equipment but also in the fact that my son was barely on £17,000 a year.
"I think it is obscene, I really do, especially in the current climate with the recession and ordinary people losing their houses, including troops."
Phil Cooper - whose son received £200,000 in compensation for injuries received in Iraq - said it was "absolutely disgusting that they can do this from the safety of their armchairs".
Jamie, then 18, became the youngest soldier to be injured in the conflict in 2006.
His father said: "I find it ludicrous. It makes me angry that they are being paid £47m to pat themselves on the backs."
The MoD said the bonuses would average less than £1,000 this year and did not affect the budget for equipment.
A spokesman said: "These pay awards are met from within salary budget and have no impact on the operational or equipment budget.
"Pay awards were given to around 50,000 civil servants resulting in an average payment of less than £1,000.
"The vast majority of these awards were paid in August as part of previously agreed pay deals, so we are not expecting this year's total to increase significantly."

What could £300m buy?

:: Almost six Chinook Mk3 helicopters

:: Upgrades to 48 Lynx Mk 9 helicopters

:: 300 brand new armoured support trucks

:: More than 17,000 extra Army privates

Sky News Online 9:20am UK, Thursday November 12, 2009