US EditionEx-commander of unit tasked with trialling Ajax armoured vehicle lost 20% of hearing
More than 30 soldiers suffered hearing loss and injuries from noise and vibration during an Ajax exercise, prompting three investigations and a pause in vehicle use.
- Last month, more than 30 soldiers reported sickness and hearing issues during an Ajax exercise on 22 November, leading Luke Pollard to pause the Ajax reconnaissance vehicle while three investigations proceed.
- Broader sustainment strains and procurement shortcomings were flagged by MPs, citing delays to the Boxer mechanised infantry vehicle and faults in the MAN support vehicle fleet, while officials acknowledged the need for significant Defence procurement system reform.
- About 20% hearing loss was reported by Rob Page, former lieutenant colonel and Ajax trials commander, who recommended halting trials in late 2020 and again in 2021, saying, `That gave increasingly more evidence that like, hey, there's a problem here`.
- The manufacturer issued an apology while ministers vowed to tackle platform faults; General Dynamics UK said extensive safety work is done, and Luke Pollard confirmed efforts to fix shortcomings have started.
- With almost 600 Ajax vehicles planned under a £6.3bn contract with General Dynamics, delivery delays and costs raise questions about programme viability.
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Defence Committee chair warns of Army vehicle ‘shambles’
The chair of the Defence Committee said the Army’s troubled armoured vehicle programmes now amount to “an absolute shambles”, as MPs pressed ministers over fresh injuries sustained during Ajax trials and wider concerns about land readiness. Speaking in the Commons, Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi MP criticised the state of key Army platforms after more than 30 soldiers reported sickness and hearing issues during an exercise on 22 November involving the A…
Do Ajax videos show new armoured fighting vehicle problems?
What really is the issue with Ajax? On the face of it, it looks a decent vehicle and the concept is sound, with the US Bradley fighting vehicle, of similar concept, being one of the great 'western military' kit success stories in Ukraine. Surely, this cannot be yet another multi-million-pound white elephant that many are
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