Army Suspends Troubled Ajax Vehicle Training Following Soldier Illness
The British Army has taken the dramatic step of pausing all training with its new Ajax armoured fighting vehicles after approximately 30 soldiers reported becoming ill from excessive noise and vibration during exercises on Salisbury Plain. The Ministry of Defence confirmed the temporary halt, stating the decision was made 'out of an abundance of caution' following the incident over the weekend.
Disturbing Scenes During War Games
According to reports from The Times, the training exercise was marred by disturbing scenes as personnel emerged from the vehicles in clear physical distress. Some soldiers were reportedly vomiting, while others were shaking so violently they could not control their bodies. The MoD immediately stopped the exercise and tested all personnel involved, identifying around 30 individuals with symptoms related to noise and vibration.
While the 'vast majority' have now been cleared for duty, a small number continue to receive expert medical care. This is not the first time such issues have plagued the Ajax programme. Testing was previously halted in 2020 and 2021 after 11 soldiers required long-term medical monitoring for conditions including tinnitus and hearing loss.
A Troubled £6.3 Billion Procurement
The recent incident casts a renewed shadow over the £6.3 billion Ajax programme, which has been beset by delays and technical problems. The first delivery of these vehicles was announced only earlier this month, a full eight years behind the original schedule. Initially commissioned in 2010 with deliveries expected by early 2017, the project has repeatedly missed deadlines set for 2017, 2020, and 2021.
Defence minister Luke Pollard, who requested the current two-week pause, had recently claimed the programme had 'left its troubles behind' after it achieved initial operating capability. The MoD has ordered 589 Ajax vehicles and their variants from US firm General Dynamics, with full delivery not expected until the end of the decade. Each vehicle costs nearly £10 million.
Defence expert Professor Michael Clarke highlighted the severity of the situation, telling Sky News: 'You can’t introduce something into the battlefield if 10% of your crew are going to get ill. They have to succeed because there are no other vehicles available. They don’t have the time to scrap it and start with something else.' A limited amount of testing will continue during the pause to identify and resolve the underlying issues.
