The future of the new fleet of the RAF of aircraft in the air in the air was questioned after a damn report had not been “noticed the” successful delivery “of the £ 1.9 billion defense project” not to find out. ”
Watchdog spent the Infrastructure and Projects Authority (IPA) a 'red' rating on plans to equip the military military British with three E-7 Wedgetail Surveillance Jets.
Dubbed the new 'eyes in the skies' of the nation, the E-7s have been set to replace the older E-3 Sentry models, which became mothballs in 2021.
Their state-of-the-art sensors are able to scan the air and to detect incoming fighter jets or cruise rockets from a range of more than 250 miles away.
But the red rating of the IPA, published earlier this month in an updated report, means 'There are major problems with project definition, planning, budget, quality and/or benefits that do not seem manageable or soluble at this stage'.
The verdict was given after an assessment in March last year, with the Ministry of Defense today insisting that 'significant positive progress' has since been made.
But ministers have since expressed concern about the project, the insiders of the Defense fear that the UK can be exposed to a cruise rocket attack by people like Russia, and on potential attacks on British bases near the Midden -East .
Mark Francois, Minister of Tory Shadow Ared Forces, feared that Great Britain was now 'Flying Blind', and warned: 'The E-7 Wetgetail, our new' Eye in Heaven 'has still not been introduced. It is crucial that it has now received a red rating through the government's own major project watchdog.
Displayed is an image of the new E-7 Wedgetail of the RAF in the air in the air in the air that has been given a 'red' rating by a government watchdog
“These essential possibilities are now necessary in service – not later – and ministers must get the very affected program Grip.”
Great -Britain has a number of fixed radars sites that are able to detect threats. However, civil servants in Westminster are Nervy who should choose Putin to direct Britain in an unlikely surprise attack that these facilities can be wiped out 'within 24 hours'.
There are also concerns about the costs of the project, where the entire business case is still not defined for it, which means that no date in services has been agreed, so that the wepshops are effectively lagging behind in Limbo.
The first of the jets was intended to be employed in December 2023. However, it has confronted delays after a combination of materials, parts and shortages of skills caused by the COVID-19 Pandemie, influenced the global aviation industry.
The setback led the UK to be dependent on NATO allies to offer an early warning to Great Britain in the air since the E-3 Jets.
Groot -Britain initially ordered five of the Wepgetails, built by aviation giant Boeing and based on the 737 Jet design, in 2019.
The advanced jets have been successfully used for years by allies in Australia, Turkey and South Korea.
But in 2021 the original £ 2.15 billion £ 2.15 billion was reduced to three E-7s, which were equipped with the Hi-Tech Multi-Role-Electronic scanned Array (MESA), which scans on threats.
Despite the fact that Great Britain cut the number of aircraft with two, however, the re -negotiated deal meant that the government still had to pay for all five MESA systems.
The first of the jets, complete with his RAF paint, was unveiled in October 2024
However, there is no in-service date for when the new Jets Groen are illuminated for use in the army has been given
As a result, this means that the two leftovers, an estimated £ 60 million will be used, are used as spare parts, with ex-Tory minister the costs of the first purchasing.
The pair of sensors must be delivered to the RAF by the summer of this year, the government has said since then.
In the meantime, the Ministry of Defense is confronted with an imminent strategic defense evaluation, which could see further cuts in expenditure or for military projects.
It is unclear how, if, if, this assessment influences the E -7 project -with the MOD still insistently that it will be delivered.
Defense experts, however, expressed their concern and urged the government to accelerate the scheme to get the new jets in action.
Philip Ingram, a former colonel in the British military intelligence, said MailOnline: 'Given the increasing instability on the eastern flank of NATO and in the middle, these planes are essential for the defense of British and British interests.
“The red score suggests another purchasing project management by the MOD – how much more do we have to tolerate before someone is held responsible for the abuse of taxpayers and influences the security of the UK.”
The first RAF E -7 -Jet – still unpainted at the moment – had his first first flight in September 2024
Mediated by a team of 12 people, including two pilots, has a wedgetail a reach of more than 3,700 miles, which can be expanded if it is in the air.
With its refined series of sensors, the hostile goals on land, sea and in the air can pick up and it can act as an important active that aimed military troops to the enemy.
The jets will serve under no. VIII Squadron and will be located in Raf Lossiemouth, in Scotland, next to the Nine-streng fleet of Poseidon Maritime Patrol aircraft.
Despite the delays, there have been remarkable successes in the project, where September saw the first flight of the first British wedgetail.
A spokesperson for the Ministry of Defense told MailOnline: 'The E-7 Wedgetail will be an eye-in-the-sky plane to detect a series of rocket threats against the UK.
“Since this assessment was taken almost a year ago, E-7 has made significant positive progress, including the first flight in the UK-What is marking an important milestone of delivery.”
A red, amber or green delivery reviews reflect the chance of success at a specific time if problems and risks are not addressed.
They are neither an extensive reflection of project performance, nor a prediction of probably success or failure, the mod added.
Once employed, the E-7 will only retire in at least 2042, the IPA said in its report.
Boeing refused to comment.
