LONDON, April 13: The UK’s ground forces in Afghanistan are getting a state-of-the-art precision land attack rocket with twice the range of existing artillery systems which is also expected to considerably reduce the risk of collateral damage.

According to a ministry of defence announcement, following a series of successful trials, the Guided Multiple Rocket Launch System (GMLRS) has been declared fit for deployment with troops in Afghanistan later this year.

Nicknamed the “60km sniper” by trials troops, the Global Positioning System (GPS) guided rockets contain the latest advanced computer technology giving them unsurpassed accuracy out to a range of over 60 kilometres. Armed with a 200lb high explosive warhead, the improved missile will mean more targets can be engaged with a lower risk of collateral damage and smaller logistical burden.

Defence Minister Lord Drayson said: “This new all-weather rocket gives us huge improvements in range and accuracy over its predecessor, meaning it will take significantly fewer rockets to defeat our targets while reducing the risk of collateral damage.

“The Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System will deliver a powerful 200 pound warhead to its destination with pin-point accuracy, giving the Royal Artillery its first ever long range precision rocket. It is a prime example of our commitment and determination to continually improve the support we deliver to the front line.”

The delivery of these systems is the first element in an incremental programme worth over £250million which will see the UK take delivery of several thousand rockets by the end of the decade.

The GMLRS rocket has been developed by a five-nation collaboration of the UK, France Germany, Italy and the US.

Meanwhile, the Army’s 12 Mechanised Brigade has officially taken control of British military operations in Helmand Province, southern Afghanistan.

This Brigade replaced Royal Marines from 3 Commando Brigade who have now completed their six month tour. At a short ceremony at Lashkar Gah Base, Royal Marines commander, Brigadier Jerry Thomas, formally handed over responsibility to the Army’s Brigadier John Lorimer.

For the past two weeks the troops of 12 Mechanised Brigade have been replacing their counterparts in 3 Commando Brigade.