US Senate Approves Extra $23.6bn for MRAPs

The US Senate has approved $23.6bn additional funding for mine resistant armoured vehicles as part of 2008's defence spending bill.

The $648bn bill already includes $4.1bn for Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicles.

The amendment by Senator Joe Biden would allow the US Army to replace all of its up-armoured humvees in Iraq with MRAPs, Reuters reports.

The bill will now be considered in conference negotiations with the House of Representatives before final approval and release of funds to the army.

By staff writer