Tanzania radar sale 'waste of cash'

The system is old and unworkable, say sources

A £28m military air traffic control system the UK Government wants to sell Tanzania is a complete waste of money, according to the World Bank.

Sources have told the BBC the bank had branded the system old, inappropriate and unworkable in a United Nations' International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) report commissioned by the bank.

Tanzania could buy a civilian system for an eighth of the cost, it said.

I think this brings into strong question the judgement of the prime minister

Norman Lamb MP
Lib Dem

And the British system would not even cover all of the east African country's civil aviation needs, according to the report.

Tanzania's President Mkapa has held urgent talks with Tony Blair about the findings, according to press reports.

BBC defence correspondent Andrew Gilligan said the report is highly critical and claims the technology is old and inappropriate.

Liberal Democrat MP Norman Lamb told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "I think this brings into strong question the judgement of the prime minister and Defence Secretary Geoff Hoon.

Norman Lamb: Report raises serious questions

"International Development Secretary Clare Short made very clear in autumn last year that she was very unhappy with the deal.

"And yet they pushed through this export licence in December last year, despite clear evidence the entire system was inappropriate."

Manufacturers BAE Systems have accused the report of making false cost comparisons.

But Liberal Democrat international development spokesman Norman Lamb has conducted his own investigation.

Objections

He told The Guardian newspaper: "A modern civilian air traffic control system can cost as little as £3.5m.

"The Department of Trade and Industry, with the apparent support of the prime minister, has colluded with British Aerospace and Barclays Bank in foisting an expensive and unnecessary arms deal on the desperately poor people of Tanzania.

"It is no surprise the Tanzanian Government have reacted with horror."

Clare Short was concerned about the cost

Barclays Bank said they do not comment on individual loans but any loan they do make has to conform with export licensing laws.

Mr Blair over-ruled objections from Cabinet colleagues, including Chancellor Gordon Brown, to grant an export license for the product last December.

Ms Short had argued that such an advanced system was unnecessary and the cash could be better spent.

In March she ordered the delay of a £9.7m aid payment to Tanzania pending the results of the report.