Granted, we are admittedly Anglophiles but we don’t publish every new Brit military development. However, we couldn’t pass this one up.
The MoD has just fielded new 12-hour ration packs to squaddies serving in Afghanistan. The 12-hour rations are designed to be eaten while on patrol and feature updated menus that include Hindu, Sikh, Halal and vegetarian selections. These have also been included in 10-man versions which can be prepared by someone with rudimentary cooking utensils. Essentially, a box of tinned (canned) foods that can be heated on a cooker (stove).
Quoted in an MoD press release, Private Ryan Salmon from D Company 2nd Battalion The Parachute Regiment (2 PARA) says: “The new 12 hour ration packs are a great change from the normal rations. It contains Beef Jerky and a sandwich, which are great for a quick meal. The chemical water heater and main meal are good when you are on short operations, you can get a quick warm scoff and not worry about messing around with a cooker.”
At the programmatic level, Captain Jeremy Rigby, Head of DE&S Defence Food Services which is based in Bath, says: “This new contract – which was delivered ahead of schedule and under budget – enables us to produce innovative new rations quickly, meaning we can swiftly adapt to the latest operational requirements. It demonstrates our ongoing commitment to respond to feedback from our troops in Afghanistan, making sure we give them food they enjoy whilst maintaining the high nutritional content – as well as making the packs as light and convenient as possible.”
Bon Appetit!