Ministers have delayed an announcement on the future of a heavily criticised £6.3 billion contract for light tanks amid a row over jobs in a Labour heartland. The Minister of Defence had been expected to reveal today if it was pulling the plug on the long-running and beleaguered Ajax programme to provide almost 600 armoured fighting vehicles (AFVs) for the British Army.
Background of the Ajax Programme
The 38-tonne machines, the first new AFVs to enter service for nearly 30 years, were ordered in 2011 with an expectation they would start joining active units in 2017. However, only a fraction have so far been delivered, with the programme marred by major issues with noise and vibration that have left hundreds of troopers who drove them with hearing loss, back spasms and joint pains.
Recent Setbacks
In the latest setback late last year, soldiers were left vomiting after using the cannon-armed recon vehicle on a training exercise, despite assurances from defence chiefs and GD that problems had been solved. The vibration also caused other problems, including an inability to fire its 40mm cannon while moving and limiting its speed to around 20mph, half that of comparable vehicles.
Job Concerns and Political Implications
Axing the contract would threaten up to 700 jobs at two sites in South Wales, a fortnight before Senedd elections in which Labour is on course to be removed from power for the first time since devolution. Ministers had reportedly been leaning towards keeping the expensive contract going in order to safeguard the jobs, also arguing that alternative AFVs were less advanced and it would be better to fix Ajax instead.
Procurement Minister's Statement
Procurement Minister Luke Pollard this afternoon said the announcement had been postponed at the request of 'political channels' after meetings between politicians, civil service and GD executives this week. The Minister of Defence had been expected to reveal today if it was pulling the plug on the long-running and beleaguered Ajax programme.
Political Reactions
Tory shadow armed forces minister Mark Francois said: 'It seems that MoD Ministers have gone from working ''flat out'' on the Defence investment Plan - which is now nine months late and still unpublished - to ''flat on their faces'' over Ajax. As the situation descends into farce we will be urging the Government to urgently clarify the situation regarding what is, after all, a six billion pound plus Defence programme.'
Programme Delays and Issues
After all the delays, Ajax's full operating capacity was only expected in 2029, with just 160 vehicles built so far. At the start of November Mr Pollard declared its initial operating capability, meaning it could be deployed on operations, and had 'left its troubles behind'. But weeks later its use was halted after around 30 soldiers became ill due to noise and vibration that left them vomiting and unable to control their bodies on a training exercise.
Mr Pollard later told the Commons Defence Committee he had made his declaration after receiving written assurances from the head of the Army, General Sir Roly Walker, and the then-national armaments director, Andy Start, that it was safe. Former Tory defence secretary Ben Wallace, who inherited the mess when he entered office, last year branded Ajax 'a ridiculous project' that was 'over priced and the very worst of indecision and capability'.
