A senior minister who is leaving office has admitted that UK forces in Afghanistan are short of helicopters, BBC reported.
The government also failed to warn the public about the effects of the current offensive, Foreign Office Minister Lord Malloch Brown told the Daily Telegraph.
Eighteen servicemen have died this month, leading to claims that a lack of helicopters has put troops at risk.
However, Chancellor Alistair Darling said the Treasury has never refused requests for more equipment or troops.
His was the latest in a string of government statements insisting the Army has the necessary equipment for its role in the campaign, as part of a Nato-led coalition.
However, Lord Malloch Brown - who steps down at the end of the month - told the Telegraph: "We definitely don't have enough helicopters."