The UK Ministry of Defence has announced an emergency recall of 120 Enhanced Combat Body Armour (ECBA) vests after microscopic cracks were found in the armour plates. The decision comes amid criticism from the opposition, who accuse previous governments of dragging their feet in replacing the ageing armour.
ECBA body armor was introduced over 30 years ago and is a lightweight armor with small plates located front and back over the heart. Although it provides limited protection, its light weight makes it a favorite for use by the Navy, Guards and training.
The planned replacement of the ECBA was scheduled for 2023, but previous governments had delayed the process by four years to save money. Following the discovery of the defects, Defence Minister Luke Pollard ordered the light armour to be replaced immediately, stressing that the government would not allow the safety of service personnel to be compromised.
The opposition Labour Party has criticised the actions of previous governments, accusing them of “leaving troops vulnerable with faulty body armour”. The party has drawn parallels with the personal protective equipment (PPE) crisis during the COVID-19 pandemic, where health workers have faced shortages of essential equipment.
In his letter, Pollard noted:
“It is absolutely unacceptable for any of our armed forces personnel to be concerned about the quality of such basic protective equipment.” He also stressed that the ECBA replacement process, previously scheduled for completion in 2027, would be accelerated.
The use of ECBAs is currently suspended except in cases where their use is unavoidable. The Ministry of Defence has stated that it will not accept compromises when it comes to the safety of service members.