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Defence ministers have come under fire for reportedly wasting nearly £175 million on external advice for a new communications system for the British army. The system, known as Morpheus, is facing delays and is not expected to be in service until the next decade. Originally planned to replace the current Bowman radio technology by 2026, Morpheus has faced procurement challenges that have forced upgrades to the existing system.

James Cartlidge, the defence procurement minister, revealed in a letter to John Healey, shadow defence secretary, that the Ministry of Defence has spent approximately £174 million on external assistance for the Morpheus program between 2015 and the end of December 2023. The delays in the Morpheus program have led to multiple upgrades to the Bowman system, which was first introduced over 20 years ago.

The Morpheus program was intended to modernize the British army’s communications system, but issues with procurement have hindered its progress. With significant delays and wasted funds, there are concerns about the effectiveness of the current approach. As the program faces challenges in meeting its deadlines, questions have been raised about the decision-making process and oversight of the project.