UK defense grapples with Ajax troubles and Typhoon questions

"The future of the British Army's troublesome Ajax armored vehicle program has again been called into question after the official in charge was removed and use of Ajax halted over its effects on personnel. Initial operating capability (IOC) of the tracked reconnaissance vehicle was declared in November last year, despite ongoing concerns over excessive noise and vibration impacting Army personnel using it."

"Since that guarantee was given, 35 service personnel reported symptoms consistent with noise and vibration effects during a training exercise, causing him to order an indefinite pause of the use of Ajax for training, while safety investigations are carried out. A ministerial review into the advice that Pollard and other senior officials were receiving concluded that people had been raising issues with the Ajax program, but those issues were not being 'elevated to an appropriate level.'"

"In response, the Senior Responsible Owner of the Ajax program has been removed, and Pollard says he has passed oversight to the National Armaments Director. The latter is a civil servant, Rupert Pearce, who was appointed last year with a brief to reform defense procurement. As for Ajax itself, Pollard said the MoD is working with the contractor, General Dynamics, to identify problems and solutions, adding that "we will need to decide on the platform's future shortly.""

Initial operating capability for the Ajax tracked reconnaissance vehicle was declared in November last year despite ongoing concerns about excessive noise and vibration. Minister Luke Pollard received written assurances from senior MoD personnel that Ajax was "demonstrably safe." After 35 service personnel reported symptoms consistent with noise and vibration during a training exercise, he ordered an indefinite pause on Ajax training and initiated safety investigations. A ministerial review found raised issues had not been elevated appropriately. The Senior Responsible Owner was removed and oversight transferred to National Armaments Director Rupert Pearce. The MoD is working with General Dynamics to identify fixes and must decide on Ajax's future soon; cancellation would be costly given delays and sunk costs, and the CV90 has been suggested as an alternative.

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