Britain: Spending on Afghan war to rise to £5 billion a year
Government sources said the extra cash will fund more helicopters and unmanned drone aircraft for UK troops fighting the Taliban in Helmand Province as well as equipment designed to offer better protection from roadside bombs. In a further move to shore up military spending, ministers will shortly announce that the overall annual budget for the Ministry of Defence (MoD), which is £35 billion for the current year (2009-10) will be "ring-fenced" for 2010-11.