The RAF’s Nimrod MR2 planes have been grounded while urgent safety checks are carried out after concerns were raised over possible problems with their fuel pipes.

The craft, which are used in a variety of ways, including carrying out surveillance and intelligence gathering for ground troops in Afghanistan and Iraq, were grounded as a “precaution” after a dent was found in a pipe during a routine inspection on Wednesday, according to the Ministry of Defence.

In September a Nimrod crashed in Afghanistan killing 14 British servicemen.

The versatile aircraft can be used for communications, surveillance, supporting ground troops, maritime reconnaisance and search and rescue duties.

There are three Nimrods in Afghanistan and Iraq and until they can be cleared aircraft from other countries will be used to fill their role.

A spokeswoman for the MoD said: “There have been concerns over the safety of the Nimrod fleet of maritime reconnaissance aircraft since September, when one crashed in Afghanistan killing 14 British servicemen

“The safety of our personnel is paramount. Following a routine check on 21 Feb, a dent was found in the fuel pipe of one of the Nimrod MR2 planes. As a precautionary measure the fleet was grounded while the issue was investigated. These investigations are ongoing, but some of the aircraft have been cleared of this problem and we expect others to follow shortly.”

A source told Times Online that they did not expect the aircraft to be out of action for “the long term”.

The cause of the crash near Kandahar on September 2 is being probed by a Board of Inquiry.

The MoD spokeswoman insisted the decision to ground the fleet was “precautionary”, and did not imply any “prejudging” of the Board’s conclusions regarding craft XV230.

The Nimrod MR2 was designed for sea patrol and anti-submarine work and entered service with the Royal Air Force in the UK more than 30 years ago.

Its design is based on the de Havilland Comet, the first commercial jet airliner.

Nimrod MR2s fly mainly from RAF Kinloss in Scotland, although a programme to replace them with an up-dated version - the MRA4 - is under way.

Twelve of those killed in the disaster last year were stationed at Kinloss with 120 Commando, while an Army soldier and a Royal Marine also lost their lives.

It is thought to have been caused by a technical fault rather than enemy action. The MoD insisted after the crash that the Nimrod fleet had undergone a “very thorough” investigation.

The planes have since continued to fly operations in Afghanistan and Iraq.

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