Body armour worn by British military personnel has been recalled after tiny cracks were found in the ageing equipment.
Enhanced combat body armour (ECBA) should have been replaced in 2023 but it was delayed by four years.
Used widely by the Royal Navy and the British Army in low-threat environments, the armour was used by troops in Iraq and Afghanistan, but its limited protection proved unpopular, according to the Guardian.
The same publication reports that Armed Forces Minister, Luke Pollard, wrote to military top brass last week to order the armour’s replacement.
Mr Pollard wrote that defence ministers would not “tolerate this risk”, adding the process of replacement would be sped up.
He is reported to have added in his letter: “It is clearly not acceptable for any of our Armed Forces personnel to be concerned about the quality of such fundamental safety equipment”.
It is believed one in 10 of the ECBA plates are defective, with plans to test the recalled armour to check its effectiveness.
A Ministry of Defence spokesperson said: “This Government will not accept compromises when it comes to the safety of our people.
“Regular testing has identified an issue with some Enhanced Combat Body Armour. As a precaution, its use has been suspended in all but unavoidable circumstances. Every effort is being made to expedite the replacement and testing of these plates.
“The vast majority of our personnel will be unaffected by this safety notice and thousands of personnel already have alternative, higher-protection plates in their possession.”
An MoD source said personnel on higher risk deployments continue to use different body armour, which offers a higher level of protection, “where possible”.
Former Labour defence secretary, Lord Robertson, is leading a strategic defence review (SDR) commissioned by the Government soon after Labour took office in July 2024.
The Government has said the review will consider the threats Britain faces, the capabilities needed to meet them, the state of UK Armed Forces and available resources.
Labour committed to boost defence spending to 2.5% of GDP in its election manifesto, but ministers have not set out the date by which they hope to meet the pledge.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer called for increased military cooperation at a meeting of the European Council in Brussels on Monday (February 3).
He said: “We need to deepen co-operation to protect ourselves from state threats and sabotage, including on sub-sea infrastructure.”
Sir Keir told the leaders in Brussels they should also “explore greater co-operation on missions and operations, like we’re already doing with our operations in the Red Sea and our work to train Ukrainian troops”.
The PM, who wants closer defence and security ties as part of his “reset” in relations with the EU, also called for more work on military research and development, where the UK has “unique skills”.
He also suggested measures to improve military mobility and logistics, suggesting the EU and UK should “deepen” its industrial collaboration as he warned against “fragmentation” across the bloc.