Marine gun teams in Afghanistan are not getting the protection needed from their helmets.

US Marine Corps commanders have revealed Taliban sniper bullets are penetrating the helmets, which have proved ineffective in the assault which is currently being waged in southern Afghanistan.

General James Conway has told legislators in the US that snipers are posing a serious threat to coalition troops fighting in the Marjah area of Helmand province, with long range shots getting through the helmets.

He said the Marine Corps was pressing the defence industry to produce a better helmet that could withstand a 7.62mm round from the AK-47 assault rifles favoured by the insurgents.

Sniper fire has been listed as the cause of death in numerous cases in the Marjah assault, in which about 15,000 American, Afghan and NATO forces are taking part.


http://www.myanmarnews.net/story/605850