Multi-Billion Pound Armoured Fleet Faces Fresh Safety Concerns
The British Army's troubled £5.5 billion Ajax armoured vehicle programme continues to face serious safety questions after reports emerged that soldiers required medical treatment for headaches and hearing problems following recent training exercises.
This development comes just days after Defence Minister Luke Pollard confidently declared that the Ajax combat vehicle had 'left its troubles behind' during a high-profile announcement at the General Dynamics factory in Merthyr Tydfil.
Injuries Persist Despite 'Initial Operating Capability' Milestone
According to Sky News reports, approximately half a dozen troops needed medical assessment for hearing issues and motion sickness after participating in training exercises on Salisbury Plain this summer. The incidents occurred despite the Ministry of Defence recently granting the programme Initial Operating Capability (IOC) status, meaning the vehicles can now be deployed on operations.
The problems affected soldiers using multiple variants of the Ajax family, including the main reconnaissance and strike model, the Ares troop carrier, and the Athena command vehicle. This prompted another safety investigation, though defence officials claim no 'systemic issues' were identified, allowing this week's deployment announcement to proceed.
Troubled History and Ongoing Challenges
The Ajax programme has been plagued by difficulties for years, having missed its original 2017 service entry date. The £6.3 billion project aims to deliver 589 advanced armoured vehicles to the British Army, with more than 165 already delivered from the South Wales manufacturing facility.
However, achieving Full Operating Capability (FOC) may take another four years, according to current projections. Each of the 40-tonne vehicles costs approximately £10 million, and the UK government hopes to export them to other NATO countries - making any ongoing safety concerns potentially damaging to international sales prospects.
Defence sources revealed that despite the official confidence, 'soldiers are still being hurt' by the vehicles' noise and vibration levels. A Ministry of Defence spokesperson responded that 'safety of our personnel is a top priority' and insisted that Ajax has undergone 'rigorous trials and an assured safety process'.
Minister Pollard strongly defended the programme, stating: 'We would not be putting it in the hands of our frontline forces if it were not safe, and I've been reassured from the top of the army down to the folks that work on the platform that it is safe.'
The controversy highlights ongoing challenges in UK defence procurement, with Pollard acknowledging the need for 'huge improvements in value for money' and faster acquisition processes for military equipment.
