U.S. Humvees won't be pulled from Baghdad

BAGHDAD, Dec. 11 (UPI) -- U.S. commanders in Iraq said improved security in Baghdad lessens the need for expensive, heavily armed vehicles to replace the fleet of Humvees.

In July, in response to criticism from the U.S. Congress, the Pentagon announced gradual orders for some 10,000 Mine Resistant Ambush Protected, or MRAP, vehicles that offer occupants better protection from mines and roadside bombs.

The vehicles range in cost from $699,000 to more than $1.1 million, depending on the size and what extra electronic equipment is installed.

The second-highest U.S. commander in Iraq, U.S. Army Lt. Gen. Raymond Odierno, told USA Today things have improved in Baghdad to a point where not all Humvees would have to be replaced.

U.S. casualty figures have been falling for six months and Odierno said civilians are being more cooperative about reporting bombs to soldiers. He also credited the 30,000-strong wave of reinforcements since February -- the so-called surge -- with helping the city's security.

Odierno said he was still assessing the situation but added the Army's requirement for MRAPs "will probably drop," the newspaper said.