Fury as armed forces leaders ‘misled’ ministers on whopping military costs | UK | News

Armed Forces chiefs “lied” to ministers about defense procurement projects, a former defense minister has claimed. Ben Wallace, who held the post from 2019 to 2023, accused senior leaders of “hiding” the true cost of spending on projects “for fear of not getting them”.

Mr Wallace made the following claims: Telegram Within a week, it was revealed that military leaders had failed to disclose potential problems with the Ajax armored vehicle before it was approved for use by troops. 31 soldiers needed medical attention after spending 10 to 15 hours in a vehicle that was delivered six years late and significantly over budget.

Mr Wallace said: “It is certainly the case that successive governments and officials have been misled by services hiding the true cost of programs for fear of not receiving them.

“In my time there were cases where services concealed the true cost of programs and their true timelines.”

The Ajax program is just one of several high-profile, multi-million projects that are over budget and beset by delays.

Mr Wallace criticized RAF bosses, whom he accused of trying to sabotage efforts to reduce the number of aircraft purchased over cost concerns.

Ministers had reduced the number of E-7 Wedgetail airborne early warning aircraft ordered from five to three due to lack of funding.

The £760 million aircraft would cost British taxpayers in excess of £2 billion as the UK looks to follow other NATO allies in reducing the number of airframes they purchase.

Mr Wallace added: “I was clever with all their tricks… and I caught some of them, but I didn’t always catch them.

“During the orders I discovered that [the RAF] “They didn’t buy five E-7 Wedgetail aircraft, they bought five radars, two of which are still stuck in the sheds right now.”

The allegations come the same week it emerged that Defense Minister Luke Pollard was not informed of concerns about the Ajax platform before deactivating the armored vehicle for military use.

Mr Pollard told reporters in Merthyr Tydfil on November 5: “Ajax have overcome significant difficulties but more importantly we can say that they have put their troubles behind them.

“Ajax has proven itself in the field as the most advanced medium-weight armored fighting vehicle on the planet, and we have more than a full fleet ready to go, ready to fight, ready to win, with more on the way.”

Mr Pollard is understood to have received written assurances from senior officers overseeing the project but was forced to issue an Army-wide “do not use” order after dozens of soldiers were injured; three of them are currently at risk of medical discharge.

A Ministry of Defense spokesperson told the Telegraph: “The whole of the defense establishment is committed to delivering value for money and as part of our defense reforms we are accelerating procurement, tackling waste and improving outcomes for the military.

“Central to this is our appointment of a National Armaments Director and future procurement reforms will create a stronger defense hub by delivering the Defense Industrial Strategy, ensuring a resilient supply chain and leading UK defense exports.

“This will deliver better value for money for taxpayers, deliver better outcomes for our Armed Forces and better implement the objectives of the Strategic Defense Reviews on combat readiness and resilience.

“Decisions regarding Wedgetail were made by the previous government.”

The MOD also maintains that the safety of Armed Forces personnel remains a top priority following the suspension of the use of the Ajax armored vehicle.

The spokesman added: “The Minister of Defense Readiness and Industry (MinDRI) has out of an abundance of caution requested that the Army cease all use of Ajax for training and exercise while a security investigation into this weekend’s events is conducted.