Some 1,600 brand new defence ministry vehicles have been grounded because they do not comply with traffic height regulations.

The ministry bought the Scania Gryphus trucks because the old stock was no longer fit for purpose. It now turns out that the trucks’ containers are four centimetres too tall.

Caretaker minister Ankie Bijleveld has told MPs that she has asked for a special dispensations so the trucks can be driven ‘for a certain period on certain routes’. Until that time, the trucks will not be going anywhere.

Former junior defence minister Barbara Visser had claimed the height of the trucks was less than the regulatory 4 metres. Now that this has turned out not to be the case, the supplier will fix the problem, the minister said. It is not clear if all the vehicles that were ordered have already been delivered,