UK Army Halts Trials of New Ajax Armoured Vehicle Following Soldier Injury
The ongoing trials for the UK Army’s Ajax armoured vehicle have been suspended after a soldier reported experiencing vibration-related symptoms during a recent test. This incident adds to existing concerns surrounding the vehicle’s safety, which had previously led to a pause in its usage for training exercises since November.
Recent Incident Details
The latest issue arose on December 12, when the soldier reported discomfort after operating the Ajax during reliability trials. This comes on the heels of an earlier incident where around 30 personnel experienced similar symptoms linked to the vehicle, prompting investigations and a temporary halt in its operations for training purposes.
In light of the recent complaint, Defence Minister Luke Pollard announced that all Ajax trials would be paused out of “an abundance of caution” to ensure the safety of personnel. While the soldier did not require hospitalisation, they are receiving medical support.
Ongoing Investigations
Investigations into an earlier event on November 26 found that soldiers were affected while operating across 23 vehicles. Following this, a comprehensive 45-point inspection was conducted on all involved vehicles. Additionally, 13 of the Ajax units have undergone further assessments to identify the root causes of the noise and vibrations, with plans for the remaining 10 to follow suit.
Historical Context
The Ajax vehicle program has been under scrutiny for some time, primarily due to its extended delays and escalating costs. With a budget close to £10 million per unit, the Ajax is touted as a “next generation” fighting vehicle, marking the first new armoured vehicle to enter service in nearly 30 years, replacing outdated equipment from the 1970s.
Concerns regarding the vehicle were first documented back in December 2018, yet substantial action to address these issues wasn’t taken until November 2020. An internal review revealed that senior officials were aware of the potential health risks but failed to act promptly.
Impact on the Programme
This latest setback raises questions about the safety measures associated with the Ajax program. Pollard, who previously described the vehicles as “demonstrably safe,” faced criticism following these recent injuries. Following the incident, he expressed his dismay at the news and emphasised the importance of addressing the concerns of service personnel effectively.
The Ministry of Defence has referred inquiries to Pollard’s recent written statement, while General Dynamics, the contractor responsible for the Ajax’s construction, has not yet commented on the situation.
Source: Original Article
