Minister angry at being told troubled Ajax armoured vehicle was 'safe'

"The Ministry of Defence said it had paused its decision-making on the future of the programme while further investigations took place, after 35 service personnel across 23 vehicles became ill from vehicle noise and vibration during training last year. Defence Minister Luke Pollard said he had initially been told the vehicle was "demonstrably safe". He said he had already taken a number of steps, including replacing the senior team leader responsible for the troubled project."

"Most of those service personnel affected have now returned to duty, but Pollard told MPs on Thursday that he was angry he had not been given all the information and said the programme had been put on pause while further investigations took place. In November, Pollard, announced that Ajax had reached its "initial operating capability" - a significant milestone. The multi-million pound vehicles, made in Merthyr Tydfil by General Dynamics, were originally due to enter service in 2019."

The Ministry of Defence paused decision-making on the Ajax armoured vehicle programme while further investigations take place after 35 service personnel across 23 vehicles became ill from vehicle noise and vibration during training. Initial operating capability was announced in November. Most affected personnel have returned to duty. The project was originally due to enter service in 2019 and is already eight years behind schedule. The British Army ordered 589 Ajax vehicles at a cost of more than £5bn. The programme has faced criticism for poor management and was previously paused in June 2021 over concerns about vibration and noise causing hearing loss. Trials are set to resume before a final decision.

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