Fury as defence chiefs splash £70million on underwear and military clothing from CHINA
DEFENCE chiefs have been blasted for splashing out £70million on undies and other military clothing from China.
Figures show orders for thousands of pairs of “anti-microbial pelvic protection drawers” for troops.
Other items include helmet covers, windproof smocks, camouflage caps and sun hats.
The items were made in China under contract from British companies.
The Ministry of Defence figures were obtained by The Sun on Sunday in a Freedom of Information request.
Col Richard Kemp, a former infantry battalion commander, described the revelation as an “embarrassing and shameful blunder” given the threat posed by the communist state.
He added: “Even if it costs more to buy, the Armed Forces should not be wearing Chinese-made uniforms.
“They should be made in the UK using material from a country with a decent human rights record and not a country which is a strategic threat.”
Some contracts began in 2018.
Others were agreed in 2023 and will run until 2027.
Last month ex-Nato chief Lord Robertson said China posed a “deadly threat” to the UK, along with Russia, Iran and North Korea.
Last year, Britain and the US accused China of cyber-attacks on politicians, journalists, academics and millions of voters.
The MoD insisted: “Our contractors must abide by strict procurement regulations.”