The Ministry of Defence has explained the circumstances behind a £12.6 million write-off linked to the cancellation of a chemical and biological medical countermeasure programme.
In a written parliamentary response, Defence Minister Luke Pollard said the losses related to Project MELORIUS, which had been intended to replace an in-service capability and provide rapid treatment following exposure to nerve agents. The question, submitted by Conservative MP Ben Obese-Jecty, asked what the MELORIUS write-off and constructive losses recorded in the Ministry of Defence’s 2024–25 accounts referred to. Pollard said the project was reassessed after developments in the commercial market during its design phase.
“Initiated to replace an in-service capability, MELORIUS was a Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) Medical Countermeasure project to rapidly develop and provide immediate treatment to a person exposed to a nerve agent,” he said.
He explained that a suitable commercial alternative became available while the programme was still in development. “A Commercial Off The Shelf product became available during the development stage of the project, following changes in the commercial market,” Pollard said.
As a result, the department chose to halt further work and redirect funding.
“Project MELORIUS was re-evaluated and a decision was made to stop further development, with funds reinvested into procuring a COTS solution,” he added, describing the approach as “the best value for money for the taxpayer, a low-risk option and significantly reduced the delivery timescales.”
The minister confirmed that the £12,552,000 constructive loss was incurred during the managed closure of the programme. “It relates to the safe disposal of 110,000 medical devices, a necessary up-front purchase, and the associated costs of development and testing of the products,” he said. He added that defence programmes must remain adaptable as technologies and markets change.
“In delivering the best capabilities for our Armed Forces, it is vital that we continually review the market and emerging technologies for ways to enhance our current offering, to ensure that our troops have what they need to operate effectively and the ability to respond to evolving threats.”
So, they found a cheaper solution. Nice.
Yeah what’s £12m between friends!peanuts ain’t it?
If an off the shelf solution works, and is best fit for the job, then go for it! This should also be applied to the very big ticket projects also! Anyway CBRN, ugh! Everyone remembers where they were at 9/11, me, Porton Down!
No! Did you volunteer, or were you on a course at Winterbourne Gunner next door?
Course at WG, but had an opportunity to go next door and chat to one of the blokes! It’s an eerie place, even the training area at the back had a weird “spooky” lay of the land! Got to admit, the chief instructor was RAF Reg, as that was their thing, at least they had to be good at something lol 🤣👍
Yes, I think Rock Apes were involved from 99. After 2010, it was totally their bag.
Spent many a happy hour blowing shit up in Happy Valley 🙂
They could film apocalypse type films around there, but maybe I spooked myself lol 🤣
Is the TA up at the North or NE end of the Porton ranges where the bunkers are?
Mostly between WG and PD, got the A30 to the east, only a small training area which we used to practice CBRN (used to be NBC) skills and drills as instructors. If my memory serves me mate, has changed massively since I was there. Much more modern and well organised. Lots of historical sites, barrows etc in the area, safe on MOD locations! As you know I’m a history buff also lol.
Thanks. So south of the cross ranges road to the Pheasant. Only asked as that part of the defence estate I have studied extensively. Like many places.
I have been to Figsbury Ring, just to the south, went up it late at night and got stampeded by a heard of cows crossing the fields!
All long ago now..
Used to do a few hill reps on figsbury ring, as you said mate long time ago 🤣👍
I hadn’t realised there were still grubby long haired hippie types still camping there by then. 😍 & ✌️Peace man. 🚬
I must have seen you, next to the camp fire, big spliff, and some naps tablets and with heavy make up of fullers earth 😵💫🧚♀️🤣
Would be interesting to know what the 100k medical devices were and if they could have a secondary use..
Surely they do have a use if we bought them upfront?
combipen autoinjector or similar?
Honest to god.. it’s not exactly rocket science.. what idiot decided to go for a bespoke option of course you could off the shelf this.. all it is is atropine as your muscarinic acetylcholine receptor antagonist and whatever Oxime of choice you use for reactivating acetylcholinesterase, finally something for your seizures.. Benzodiazepine of choice.. for the field pop them all in an auto injector system.. it’s not like there is any magic cure other than those three things and we have had them for ever and ever.
Ok I forget the weeks in ITU for supportive therapy and a years worth of rehab..but I don’t know any way to inject those