Originally posted by sofa
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It wasn't long ago that soldiers carried out these duties in soft tops with no ballistic protection what so ever.
That was at a time when there was a number of organisations active.
The move to hard tops was for improved crash protection as the risk was/is considered higher.
The Gardai moved to using "stab vests" after some incidents that showed the vulnerability of it's members in modern times.
While the army started to wear flack jackets at a time when most civvies would contend the risk has actually lessened.
FMP's post really shows why we don't need anything other than what we have.
Incidentally how many of those KIA died in a vehicles?
If 4000+ soldiers die in a volatile area such as those above but only x% of them were convoy attacks then it would show the real risk to those in a vehicle.
Until that risk assessment changes there is not going to be any increase in the ballistic protection of the vehicles.
Even if that risk were to change significantly any change in equipment will be in line with available cash and the ability to gain votes.
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