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UK MoD Recalls 120,000 Pieces of Body Armor

The UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) has issued an urgent recall for thousands of military body armor vests after scans revealed microscopic cracks in the equipment.

A total of 120,000 Enhanced Combat Body Armor (ECBA) vests used by the British Army, Royal Navy, and Royal Air Force are being recalled for testing due to cracks in the ceramic plates, compromising their effectiveness.

The recall has sparked a political debate, with Conservatives facing accusations of “leaving troops vulnerable” with defective gear.

The vests were initially set to be decommissioned in 2023, but the previous government reportedly extended their service life by four years to prioritize other defense spending.

In an emergency recall letter, Armed Forces Minister Luke Pollard emphasized that the current administration will not tolerate such risks and that the replacement process is being expedited.

“It is clearly unacceptable for any of our armed forces personnel to have concerns about the quality of such essential safety equipment,” he said, as quoted by The Guardian.

Aging Equipment

First introduced over three decades ago, the ECBA features small front and back plates designed to protect the heart.

However, despite its promising design, troops supporting operations in Iraq and Afghanistan reportedly opted not to use the gear due to its “limited protection.”

While the tactical armor has been gradually phased out, some units retained it because the replacement options were heavier and hindered operational efficiency, particularly at sea.

It is believed that about one in ten ECBA plates is defective, prompting the large-scale recall.

Once testing is complete, the UK MoD will determine whether the armor is fit for continued use or will need to be replaced immediately.

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