The bill for the UK's ongoing military operations in Iraq will soon pass £5 billion, the Liberal Democrats have predicted.
Economic spokesman Vince Cable said if spending continued at current levels, the milestone would be reached on April 5.
He said the scale of the finance involved - which excludes the costs of reconstruction - was contributing to a "large black hole" in the Ministry of Defence budget.
"Quite apart from the human cost, the continuing and open-ended occupation of Iraq is contributing to a large black hole in the Ministry of Defence's budget," he said.
"Many British troops are currently struggling without proper equipment because of the pressure on resources. This money could be used to better equip British troops serving elsewhere, particularly in Afghanistan."
Figures he obtained from Armed Forces Minister Adam Ingram through a Parliamentary question show the costs from the build-up to the 2003 invasion to April 2006 were just over £4 billion.
Another £860 million - around £23.5 million a day - has been earmarked for peacekeeping operations in this financial year.
And, the Liberal Democrats pointed out, at that rate the total bill would pass £5 billion early in 2007/8.
