SAS chiefs replaced helicopters with “go-karts” to transport soldiers on its brutal selection course, sparking fury.
Troops who made it to the regiment’s gruelling “jungle phase” were left grounded in South East Asia.
Their Who Dares Wins instructors had to spend four hours a day driving them in and out of the jungle canopy in Brunei in Polaris MRZR buggies.
Special Forces recruits were previously flown in on Puma HC2 helicopters.
But Defence Secretary John Healey axed them in March and the replacement Airbus H145 choppers are not due until 2026.
A source said: “We thought it was a joke.
“The instructors were left charging around in glorified go-karts.
“It makes us look daft.”
The selection phase sees recruits spend four weeks in a small platoon deep in the jungle.
They are exposed to deadly wildlife including crocodiles, venomous cobras and spiders.
The MoD said the Puma was retired “to focus efforts on bringing in the modern replacement as quickly as possible”.
It added: “Some of the Puma fleet had been flying for more than 50 years.
Six new H145 helicopters will enter service from 2026 and be deployed in both Cyprus and Brunei in support of British forces.”
