'British troops forced to buy their own drones and kit amid MoD red tape delays'

BRITISH soldiers are resorting to plugging military capability gaps with equipment, including drones, bought online, a Labour MP has shockingly claimed.

- By Conor Wilson

Former Royal Marine Fred Thomas said troops are buying electronic warfare gadgets ready for possible deployment to Eastern Europe.

While the Ministry of Defence rejects the claim, experts told the Express it raises questions over whether the Army faces too much red tape.

Mr Thomas said: "Many of our soldiers have taken it upon themselves to buy tech online and tinker with it to produce contemporary capability.

"From drones that kill tanks to electromagnetic warfare devices, they're not waiting around for the system to put the right kit in their hands, they are getting after it themselves."

Hostile

The MoD described the claim as "untrue," saying: "While personnel may use limited items of individual kit on exercise and operations, such as authorised personal clothing, this is not the case for technical equipment, including drones."

All specialist kit deployed on exercises and operations is "subject to robust processes of assurance and risk management to ensure it is safe and fit for purpose".

But former officer Andrew Fox, who completed three tours in Afghanistan including one attached to the US Army Special Forces, said it was not unusual for soldiers to purchase the kit themselves.

He said: "It is quite common. Everyone is playing catch up with drones.

"Certainly they had to in Ukraine, loads of off-the-shelf stuff has been bought by Ukrainian soldiers and even now you will still find crowdfunding to buy drones.