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Ajax Armoured Vehicle 2025-12-08
08 December 2025
Lead MP
James Cartlidge
Debate Type
Urgent Question
Tags
Defence
Other Contributors: 23
At a Glance
James Cartlidge raised concerns about ajax armoured vehicle 2025-12-08 in the House of Commons. A government minister responded. Other MPs also contributed.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Lead Contributor
Opened the debate
Will the Minister confirm the latest developments concerning Ajax and other Army vehicles, particularly in light of the reported noise and vibration symptoms experienced by soldiers during Exercise Titan Storm?
James Cartlidge
Con
South Suffolk
Question
May I state how shocking it was to hear of the Army exercise that took place on 22 November that resulted in more than 30 casualties among soldiers operating Ajax? There have been reports of symptoms ranging from sickness to hearing loss. Given all that, surely the only possible conclusion is that the Ajax vehicle is fundamentally flawed. Does the Minister agree that General Dynamics must be held to account?
Minister reply
I share the hon. Gentleman’s concern for our service personnel. It is not good enough for our service personnel to sustain injuries in this fashion on a platform that they were reassured was safe, just as I was. That is why getting to the bottom of this issue is a priority for me. I await the reports of those three investigations to understand what happened and therefore what decisions we will take as a result.
Slough
Question
What an absolute shambles. The Minister should be livid at how things have transpired, given the billions of pounds of British taxpayers’ money that has been spent over the years on the Ajax programme and the injuries sustained by our brave service personnel. Is there a wider systemic problem with land vehicle procurement and sustainment? Where exactly does this leave us with the British Army’s readiness at a time of such increased international tensions?
Minister reply
I thank my hon. Friend for his question, as well as for the questions he asked me in front of his Select Committee last week, which gave me the opportunity to provide an update to his Committee and the public on the investigations. The MAN SV fleet is a system that is working properly, in the sense that problems have been identified with a vehicle that is nearly 20 years old. When problems are identified, it is right that fixes are then identified and rectifications are put in place. That is what is happening with the MAN SV fleet, which should return to full capabilities early in the new year.
Lewes
Question
Will he confirm whether the Department has prepared any contingency plan should the Ajax ultimately be deemed unsafe or unviable? If further delays or design overhauls are needed, what assessment has been made of the impact on our NATO commitments, particularly our contribution to the UK’s armoured capability?
Minister reply
I thank the hon. Gentleman for his words about our service personnel. Every one of them should know that the vehicles or equipment they have been asked to operate are safe, which is why it is important that we get to the bottom of what has happened. We await those reports so that we can provide confidence to our people about what we are asking them to do, albeit with the level of risk that both we and they know they carry.
Lincoln Jopp
Con
Spelthorne
Question
Does the Minister agree that the National Armaments Director should have carte blanche to tear up procurement rules?
Minister reply
Rupert Pearce is already implementing changes within Defence Equipment and Support, with a clear policy steer from the defence industrial strategy and strategic defence review. He has made substantial changes in his few weeks in place.
Ruth Jones
Lab
Newport West and Islwyn
Question
What assurances can be given to workers at the Oakdale site regarding long-term job security associated with this programme?
Minister reply
The Government is increasing defence spending, supporting businesses large and small. I will meet my hon. Friend and her south Wales colleagues to discuss further if that would be useful.
Bernard Jenkin
Con
Harwich and North Essex
Question
Will the Minister ensure a culture change in MOD defence acquisition, including sending personnel on courses where such lessons are learned?
Minister reply
Culture change is necessary to be faster and more agile. We have implemented SRO recommendations for leadership improvement but will not speculate further until investigations conclude.
Gerald Jones
Lab
Merthyr Tydfil and Aberdare
Question
Will the Minister keep General Dynamics employees in his thoughts, offering them reassurance and meeting staff representatives once initial findings are known?
Minister reply
I will meet my hon. Friend and staff representatives including trade unions to ensure we learn lessons appropriately based on evidence.
Ian Roome
LD
North Devon
Question
Does the Minister agree with Lord West that the Ajax programme has been a complete and utter disaster?
Minister reply
I will not jump to conclusions until investigations conclude. Understanding what happened with vehicles causing injuries is crucial.
Carolyn Harris
Lab
Neath and Swansea East
Question
Will the Minister work with defence companies in Wales to offer reassurances to staff, ensuring Wales remains at the forefront of job opportunities in the defence sector?
Minister reply
We are committed to the defence sector in Wales. Discussions include a £250 million defence growth zone for Wales.
Ben Obese-Jecty
Con
Huntingdon
Question
Will the Minister look at how Ares cannot replace Warrior, given concerns about armoured infantry capability in 3rd (UK) Division?
Minister reply
The current ORBAT for an armoured infantry battalion needs to be considered regarding Ares' capabilities. It is not a like-for-like replacement.
Luke Charters
Lab
York Outer
Question
More than 30 soldiers fell ill so I place on record our thanks as a House to Army Medical. Does my hon. Friend agree that when it comes to the forthcoming defence investment plan, Army Medical, of which 2 Med Group is headquartered in my constituency, will stand to benefit from that plan and that we will learn lessons from this Ajax incident?
Minister reply
The strategic defence review set out how we need to invest in our enablers, including Defence Medical Services. We ensure warfighting readiness while maintaining ability to treat injured personnel. Investment in the defence investment plan is ongoing.
Dave Doogan
SNP
Angus and Perthshire Glens
Question
This issue has gone from Labour to coalition Government, now back with Labour. It’s nine years late, £6 billion over budget, and recently injured 30 personnel. Does the Minister think the US would allow themselves to be messed around by a UK prime in this way? Has he any indication about defence contingency planning if he presses the button to cancel this project?
Minister reply
I am not happy with any of our equipment being used if it is unsafe. Since becoming a Minister, I have paused use of certain equipment due to safety concerns. Until seeing reports, looking at options next.
Alex Ballinger
Lab
Halesowen
Question
Ajax was ordered in 2014 and delivered eight years late in a state unusable by personnel. This is catastrophic MOD procurement failure. As we increase spending responding to war in Ukraine, how does the Minister ensure MOD procurement fit for purpose?
Minister reply
We look at what happened with Ajax to see lessons needed and decisions taken. Defence procurement takes too long; it's expensive and doesn't allow spiral development as needed.
Julian Lewis
Con
New Forest East
Question
Without going back to 1960s, what disaster is comparable? If decision made that platform not fit for armed forces, huge legal stand-off could happen. Has thought been given sharpening pencils of MOD lawyers?
Minister reply
I am invited to speculate on a possible future decision after reports come in; all options remain on table. We look into causes and lessons from three reviews.
Johanna Baxter
Lab
Paisley and Renfrewshire South
Question
Thank you for commitment to putting safety first. Can he tell us when Ajax programme was last paused before this incident?
Minister reply
Programme was paused under last Government due to noise and vibration issues; they commissioned work to establish what went wrong.
Tewkesbury
Question
Under last Government, Conservatives signed £1.5 billion contract for E-7 Wedgetail aircraft that reportedly circumvented MOD procurement system; RAF still without operational platform. What is contingency plan if this £6.3 billion investment collapses? Regardless, will an inquiry be launched into both platforms?
Minister reply
First test flight of Wedgetail happened shortly after debate in Westminster Hall months ago. For Ajax, we take evidence-based approach to understand what has happened and make decision accordingly.
Alan Strickland
Lab
Newton Aycliffe and Spennymoor
Question
Thank Minister for action taken on Ajax; procurement issues go beyond this programme. Once investigations concluded, how will lessons be taken forward into implementation of Defence Industrial Strategy to ensure service people get right kit at right price and time?
Minister reply
We know system is too slow and expensive. We set out ambition in the Defence Industrial Strategy months ago to cut contracting timelines, have more iterative development, invest more in skills.
Rebecca Smith
Con
South West Devon
Question
Given Ajax issues leaving operational gap, is Minister confident no usability/capability issues with Boxer or Project Hunter will come out of woodwork? Met local defence business who shared concerns.
Minister reply
Boxer has not had same issues as Ajax; seen dedicated workforce delivering it. Potential for more to happen.
Steve Barclay
Con
North East Cambridgeshire
Question
While problems with Ajax familiar, today’s revelations extraordinary because both Minister and shadow Defence Secretary said misled by officials. Raises questions about reliance on good faith statements from Dispatch Box. Has he discussed this issue with Cabinet Secretary? Across the House, Members think these problems systemic.
Minister reply
Discussion ongoing; we will ensure lessons learned.
Dorking and Horley
Question
What confidence can the country have in MOD’s ability to deliver defence innovation, given past debacles like Ajax? Defence innovation is vital in adapting our forces for modern warfare, but how do we ensure timely delivery of systems?
Minister reply
The MOD recognises the importance of speed and efficiency in procurement, especially lessons learned from supporting Ukraine. We are reviewing systems to reduce contracting time and enable faster development of platforms as part of our defence industrial strategy.
John Cooper
Con
Dumfries and Galloway
Question
Given the importance of logistics, what practical steps are being taken to ensure other mission-critical equipment is not affected by current issues with MAN trucks?
Minister reply
When faults were identified in MAN support vehicles, appropriate mitigations were put in place and rolled out. We need clarity on what has happened with Ajax before making further decisions. The system should work effectively by understanding the fault and rolling out necessary mitigations.
Jim Shannon
DUP
Strangford
Question
What steps will be taken to ensure other Army vehicles are checked for improper parts, considering some 6,000 vehicles may have been fitted incorrectly and used to supply troops?
Minister reply
The MOD is refreshing capabilities across various platforms including Land Rovers, alongside Ajax. We seek to provide service personnel with safe equipment while increasing value for the taxpayer through faster procurement systems.
Government Response
I thank the hon. Member for South Suffolk (James Cartlidge) for tabling the question and Mr Speaker for allowing me to provide an update on the current situation, expanding on the written ministerial statement that I laid on 26 November. As safety is the top priority for the ministerial team, prior to Ajax's initial operating capability being announced, I asked for and was given assurances in writing by senior Ministry of Defence personnel that the system was safe. However, on 22 November, around 30 service personnel operating the Ajax family of vehicles reported noise and vibration symptoms during Exercise Titan Storm. In line with our safety protocols, the exercise was stopped immediately, and those affected received full medical care and attention. These personnel continue to be monitored. None of the symptoms are life-threatening and there have been no hospitalisations.
The safety of our service personnel remains a top priority for the Ministry of Defence. As such, and out of an abundance of caution, I directed a pause on the use of Ajax for training and exercising while safety investigations are carried out. There are three investigations currently under way: one by the Defence Accident Investigation Branch; another by the Army safety investigation team; and the ministerial review that I have directed to be carried out in addition. While investigations remain ongoing, it would be inappropriate for me to comment on the potential outcomes or to speculate on the causes of the symptoms. However, I can confirm that officials have been meeting General Dynamics daily since the incident on Titan Storm, and I am meeting General Dynamics tomorrow to ensure a collaborative approach to the issue.
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