The Ministry of Defence wasted millions of pounds of on the new Apache helicopter, according to an influential committee of MPs.

In its report published on Tuesday, the Commons public accounts committee argued that a decision to separate the order for training and weapons from the prime contract had resulted in the government footing additional costs totalling more than £24 million.

Introduction of the new ground attack helicopter had also been delayed by two years as a result of the mistakes made, the MPs found.

Additionally, training contracts had not taken into account issues such as the British weather, failures on the course, pilot sickness and the restricted airspace in the UK compared to the US.

The report also warns of the restricted voice and data communications between the Apache helicopter and other aircraft, increasing the risk of friendly fire incidents.

"As a result of serious mistakes by the Ministry of Defence in introducing the Apache the armed forces have not yet been able to benefit from the enhanced operational capacity that the helicopter will provide," said Edward Leigh, chairman of the committee and Conservative MP for Gainsborough.

"Over £24 million of taxpayers' money has been wasted on additional costs and 40 helicopters, worth over £1.2 billion, will sit idle.

"In introducing future capabilities MoD must put in place much clearer programme management arrangements and realistic deadlines."