One in ten body armour plates issued to British troops have been found to be defective, potentially putting service personnel at severe risk.
New tests have revealed dangerous cracks in ceramic plates which were meant to be bulletproof - sending fears skyrocketing over an urgent safety crisis within the military.
The shocking discovery has forced Ministry of Defence chiefs to order a major recall of the protective equipment, known as Enhanced Combat Body Armour (ECBA).
ECBA was first introduced over three decades ago.
Ministry of Defence chiefs have ordered a major recall of ECBA
EBAY
The kit includes small front and back plates over the heart, but it proved unpopular with British troops in Iraq and Afghanistan because it offered limited protection.
ECBA has since been replaced by newer Osprey and Virtus flak jackets for frontline tasks in the army - but the old tech is still used by guard troops and for training exercises.
It is also still used by Royal Marines and sailors, who are barred from using the replacements as their extra weight might prove deadly at sea.
MORE ON THE ARMY:
ECBA is still used by Royal Marines
MOD
Tests showed that 10 per cent of the ECBA plates have failed safety checks, leaving Britain's troops potentially vulnerable to bullet impacts.
The MoD has now ordered a comprehensive recall - affecting a minimum of 120,000 sets of the protective equipment.
And armed Forces minister Luke Pollard has warned: "I will not accept a make do and mend approach to the safety or operational capability of our people."
Some 10 per cent of the ECBA plates have failed safety checks
MOD
Labour insiders have blamed the Tories for "leaving troops vulnerable with defective body armour" - arguing the situation was similar to the pandemic in which "the Conservatives left NHS workers unprotected when they failed to provide PPE".
While a MoD statement said: "As a precaution, ECBA use has been suspended in all but unavoidable circumstances."
"This Government will not accept compromises when it comes to the safety of our people," a spokesman added.
