Military chiefs 'knew about helicopter cancer risk', claim ex-servicemen (2024)

Chinooks are one of four types of helicopter named (Image: Grimsby Live)

Ex-RAF pilots who say they have developed cancer as a result of toxic exhaust fumes from military helicopters have launched legal action against the Ministry of Defence, claiming the Government was aware of the risks for more than a decade yet did nothing.

Personnel who travelled in Wessex, Puma, Chinook and Sea King helicopters have developed a range of illnesses including multiple myeloma, lung cancer, testicular cancer and throat cancer, reported The Times.

A total of 40 of them are understood to be suing the MoD, with the number who have come forward likely to double in the next few weeks.

So far at least three people are believed to have died, leaving their relatives to continue the fight for justice.

Some have already received out-of-court settlements, including Zach Stubbings, the ex-flight sergeant who trained Prince William.

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Prince William is himself a trained helicopter pilot (Image: Getty)

Documents have suggested the MoD has known about of the dangers since 1999 but allowed aircrew to continue to fly.

Jonathan Dingle, a barrister at Normanton Chambers, said gases containing hazardous benzene carcinogens “were apparently being sucked through the cabin and out again through the co*ckpits”.

He explained: “The Germans knew about it roughly the same time and installed longer exhaust options on some of their aircraft to draw the exhaust away.”

By contrast, British military personnel “were not provided with masks or filters or purified air or any form of filtration system”, Mr Dingle stressed, adding: “They were not warned about the whole system."

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An MoD spokesperson said: "We hugely value our service personnel and veterans and owe a debt of gratitude to all those who serve, often with great personal sacrifice.

“We continually review our policies to ensure they are aligned with good practice and protect our people from harm.

“Service personnel and veterans who believe they have suffered ill health due to service from April 6, 2005 have the existing and long standing right to apply for no-fault compensation under the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme.”

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