All members of the Armed Forces, past and present, injured in Iraq or Afghanistan will be able to get state-of-the-art micro processor limbs, known as "bionic legs".
British servicemen and women who lose their legs on the battlefield of Iraq or Afghanistan will be offered state-of-the-art bionic legs to improve their lives.
The new technology, which will cost £6.5million, represents a dramatic improvement on current prosthetics.
ITV News’ Martha Fairlie reports:
Six and half million pounds will be used to supply the injured soldiers of Afghanistan and Iraq with state of the art new bionic legs.
Those currently waiting for a limb will start to get the new ones fitted straight away, those who already have a prosthetic leg will get their replaced.
Defence Minister Mark Francois told Daybreak the whole process should take a year to a year and half to fit the legs.
All members of the Armed Forces, past and present, injured in Iraq or Afghanistan will be able to get state-of-the-art micro processor limbs, known as "bionic legs".
The benefits of the new legs:
Wounded service personnel have welcomed a government move to guarantee leg amputees get the most up-to-date prosthetic limbs available.
Captain Nick Beighton, a Paralympic rower who competed in London 2012, lost both his legs in a blast while on a foot patrol in Afghanistan in 2009.
– Captain Nick Beighton, Paralympic rowerTo have the opportunity to try it and to use it and get the latest technology is fabulous for us because it just gives us that freedom to get out and do more things and have greater functionality and more independence, essentially.
Read: Funding boost guarantees up to date limbs for amputees
Around 160 individuals who were injured in Iraq or Afghanistan, will benefit from Government funds for the most up-to-date prosthetic limbs available.
Defence Secretary Philip Hammond said: "One of this Government's top priorities has always been to give our troops the best possible care and support."
Mr Hammond said he was "delighted" to announce funds of £6.5 million which will be used to ensure UK servicemen and veterans injured in Afghanistan or Iraq have the opportunity to "upgrade to the most technologically advanced prosthetics currently available."
– Surgeon General Air Marshal Paul EvansThe next generation of micro processor knee is a fantastic prosthetic development and now seen to have proven benefits for certain amputees. It will improve the quality of life and rehabilitation for our patients, where it is clinically suitable.
Not only does it provide better stability and improved mobility but will also help reduce back pain and aid rehabilitation generally.
The team at Defence Medical Rehabilitation Centre are now planning for individual patients to be offered the next generation of micro processor knee where clinically appropriate.
Whitehall will today announce a funding boost to guarantee leg amputees get the most up-to-date prosthetic limbs available.
All members of the Armed Forces, past and present, injured in Iraq or Afghanistan will be able to get state-of-the-art micro processor limbs, known as "bionic legs".
The £6.5 million which will fund this has been made available by the Chancellor from the Treasury's Special Reserve.
The leg will be the same as the one used by British Paralympic discus thrower Derek Derenalagi.