Hundreds of British Army tanks and armored vehicles may contain asbestos, as acknowledged by the UK Ministry of Defence. The Challenger 2 battle tank, Warrior infantry vehicle and Bulldog armored personnel carrier that are part of the Armed Forces inventory are made with asbestos-containing materials (ACM), the newspaper reported. Time.

Chief of Army Staff, Gen Mr. Patrick Sanders, has already criticized the technology used by his troops. He said it was like using a “rotary phone in the age of the iPhone.” “The safety of our service personnel is our top priority and plans are underway to remove asbestos from our equipment as soon as possible,” a Defense Ministry spokesperson told the newspaper to calm tensions among its ranks.

Total of 2,699 pieces from the Army armory containing asbestos, including 765 Bulldog armored personnel carriers, 324 Challenger 2 tanks, 75 Challenger armored repair and recovery vehicles, 11 Fuchs armored vehicles, 14 Gazelle reconnaissance helicopters, 31 high mobility trailers, 841 Pinzgauer 4×4, 64 Stormer armored vehicles , 540 Soldier infantry fighting vehicles and 34 Wildcat helicopters, reflects the inventory.

“These figures only represent a worst-case scenario and much of the equipment in question will no longer be usable, will not be affected by asbestos or the asbestos-containing materials will be removed,” the Ministry of Defense said. James Cartlidge in a letter sent to the Labor Party. “The presence of asbestos-containing materials does not in itself pose a health risk, and equipment containing asbestos above regulatory limits should only be used by specialists.”

Asbestos, a practical and cheap material, was often used to build everything from military housing to vehicles in the UK. Since most Army barracks were built before 2000, it is likely the materials used to house them. Exposure to these substances can cause mesothelioma, a generally fatal cancer that affects the lining of the lungs and digestive tract, as well as other serious illnesses.

John Healey, the shadow defense minister, accused Rishi Sunak’s cabinet: “After 13 years, the Conservative Party still hasn’t fixed the defense procurement system, which the public accounts committee described as “broken and a waste of public taxpayers’ money.” Our military is forced to rely on outdated asbestos-filled equipment. “Labor will ensure they have the equipment they need to fight with confidence and fulfill our NATO obligations.”