It was due to fly to Mali's capital, Bamako, on Monday morning, but has been delayed due to a "minor technical fault", an MoD spokesman said.

BBC: Mali: No UK army boots on the ground - Cameron

In a car, such a system could analyse a developing fault and add it to a coming service schedule if it were minor, or if it were more serious locate a nearby service centre, check on workshop availability and suggest the driver go there immediately.

ECONOMIST: Vehicle telemetry