NEW fears over a shortage of helicopters in Afghanistan have been raised after the 12th consecutive death of a British soldier killed by a roadside bomb or landmine.

Trooper Ratu Babakobau of the Household Cavalry, 29, and originally from Fiji, died and three of his comrades were wounded when their Spartan armoured vehicle was hit by an explosive device in Nowzad, in northern Helmand province. He leaves a wife and sons aged four and one. Senior officers described him as an outstanding soldier.

Babakobau was part of the same 60-strong squadron as Prince William. A Clarence House spokesman said: “Together with the rest of the regiment both Prince William and Prince Harry are deeply saddened to hear of the death of Trooper Babakobau. Their thoughts are with his family and the families of those injured.”

There are only six RAF Chinook helicopters in Afghanistan. British commanders have asked for more — as well as extra troops — but sources say ministers have delayed sending them in an attempt to push other Nato countries into making bigger contributions.

The air transport shortage has led to troops being scattered across Helmand province and having to travel between outposts on dangerous roads in a repetition of tactics that led to Russian humiliation there in the 1980s.

A Foreign Office document leaked last week said “critical military gaps remain to be filled”, citing helicopters and men.

“The lack of helicopters means we are building up predictable patterns of behaviour. The enemy are just adjusting tactics to hit us where we are vulnerable,” one senior officer said.

“We need more helicopters to avoid the same ‘bear trap’ as the Russians,” said another.

A Ministry of Defence spokesman said: “UK troops have access to other helicopters provided by Nato allies.”

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