-
Question
The statement is astonishingly complacent despite significant delays, high costs of £3.5 billion, insufficient functionality, health concerns for personnel testing the vehicles, red flagging by Major Projects Authority, and criticism as chronically mismanaged by Ministry of Defence. Questions remain about full resolution of noise and vibration issues, medical treatment for affected personnel, vehicle capabilities, manufacturing details, total costs, and delivery timelines.
Minister reply
We are not complacent but focused on resolving critical issues such as noise and vibration. Training mitigations are in place, with headsets expected to be approved soon for further training capacity. The vehicle is capable of firing on the move though certification restrictions currently limit speed and reverse step capabilities which will be lifted shortly. The project employs around 4,100 people across the UK and we remain committed to getting it right despite serious issues needing resolution.
-
Question
For some time, I have been warning the House about the growing, complex threats that our nation faces. Over the next decade, the world will become more unstable and more dangerous. That is why I have argued for an increase of the defence budget to 3%, to meet the integrated review obligations, but it makes the job harder of convincing the Treasury, Parliament and the taxpayer when we see so many errors, delays, cost overruns and redesigns.
Minister reply
There is always room to do better—I totally acknowledge that. A £24 billion increase in defence spending is certainly good news for defence and something that was necessary. The emphasis on our suppliers is to get the Ajax programme right. It is a significant change, offering protection and lethality compared with what went before.
-
Question
The UK Government have presided over a procurement project that would see soldiers arriving late for operations in vehicles only capable of a pedestrian 20 mph, with a human endurance range of no further than 30 miles, and then unable to fight duty due to sensory impairment and pain caused by these £3.5 billion boneshakers. Can the Minister confirm that the sight system manufactured by Thales in Scotland is working perfectly?
Minister reply
I thank the hon. Gentleman for his wide range of questions. There have been no complaints about the sighting systems made by Thales. We are going through the demonstration phase and will not take something into service until we are ready to do so.
-
Question
Can my hon. Friend confirm that we are fully committed to the Ajax programme, with its assembly in Wales and huge investment in the Union, and also its operational deployment in 2023-24?
Minister reply
Yes, we are absolutely committed to Ajax. We have come a long way with this project since it was approved by Ministers back in March 2010. However, there are issues that need to be resolved before full operational capability is achieved.
-
Question
In March 2010 the then Government opted for Ajax in contrast to the suggested BAE CV90. This weapon is in operation with seven armies, two of which are members of NATO. It can make 70 kph and it weighs considerably less than Ajax. Is it not possible, in all honesty, that a mistake was made when we opted for Ajax as opposed to the BAE suggestion?
Minister reply
The hon. Member’s point is taken with respect but the decision was made based on the different platforms and capabilities of the vehicles. The digitalisation of the platform enhances lethality and protection.
-
Question
Can the Minister update us on how UK suppliers are involved in the Ajax project, and does he agree with me that projects such as this provide the opportunity to support British jobs in steel, textiles and other types of heavy industry, while protecting our troops on operations?
Minister reply
There are some 230 companies as part of the supply chain. Many companies have benefitted from Ajax, including those based in Merthyr, north-west Durham, Glasgow, Wales.
-
Question
The Ajax vehicle has been giving soldiers a risk of tinnitus and swollen joints if they were driven at speeds above 20 mph. In addition, it is unable to fire while moving. Can he tell us any more about when we expect the Ajax to be fully operational?
Minister reply
There are two issues that we are looking at: noise and vibration. We will do the work with suppliers to ensure these problems are solved.
-
Question
General Dynamics has been able to make a vehicle work satisfactorily in the United States, so will my hon. Friend confirm that the Government will not be rushed into bringing this already much delayed vehicle into service until these problems are solved?
Minister reply
Absolutely. We are not going to take something into service that does not meet our requirements and we will do all necessary testing before certification.
-
Question
There are reports in the media citing a leaked Government report on the procurement of Ajax tanks stating that problems were known to the Army as early as 2017 but not admitted due to embarrassment. Does the Minister agree it would be more embarrassing and a failure in duty of care if the Ajax programme went ahead without finding the root cause or mitigating serious defects?
Minister reply
Agrees with needing to find the root cause of defects, confirms current testing is identifying and resolving them. Denies MOD was aware of issues from 2017 based on Infrastructure and Projects Authority reports.
-
Question
The Ajax programme is critical for British Army capability and ensures an assembly line in south Wales, part of the defence industrial strategy. Can my hon. Friend reassure the House that cancelling the Warrior programme will not impact delivery of turrets and cannons to the Ajax programme?
Minister reply
Reassures about the production line's importance but does not confirm cancellation impacts on turret/cannon delivery.
-
Question
Confirms Merthyr factory capability, asks where turrets for Ajax will be built.
Minister reply
States turrets are being constructed in Ampthill by Lockheed Martin but agrees to double-check and provide an official response.
-
Question
Does the Minister agree that Ajax situation undermines global Britain’s forward presence objectives as envisaged in the integrated review, such as the ability of the Royal Dragoon Guards to project reconnaissance combat teams?
Minister reply
Describes the vehicle's capabilities and the need for a digitised framework and sensors. Emphasises the programme will significantly help armed forces.
-
Question
The Minister is concerned about Ajax being as fast as bicycles but unable to fire weapons on the move or pose risks to troops, compares this to Nimrod MRA4.
Minister reply
Reassures that Ajax will be able to deploy speed and fire-on-manoeuvre capabilities in future phases. Explains £5.5 billion contract issues need resolution.
-
Question
Asks for a review of procurement processes given serious questions about Ajax hardware, potential injuries to personnel, and past tender issues like Nimrod MRA4.
Minister reply
Commits to improving procurement processes through the defence and security industrial strategy, ensuring active contact with UK companies. Acknowledges £5.5 billion contract risks.
-
Question
Welcomes investment in armoured fighting vehicles but asks for assurance that lessons from Ajax programme will be learned to improve defence procurement.
Minister reply
Confirms learning from all procurements, acknowledges issues with IOC delays and current vibration/fire-on-manoeuvre issues.
-
Question
Describes the Minister as complacent regarding Ajax programme, criticises taking manufacturer's word over users' findings.
Minister reply
Reassures that crew feedback is taken seriously and resolved through testing. Confirms will not proceed with IOC until confident in vehicle’s development.
-
Question
Asks for confirmation on export opportunities from the Ajax programme given £24 billion investment in Army modernisation.
Minister reply
Hopes to resolve demonstration phase issues and proceed with IOC, FOC before exporting vehicle as a transformational opportunity.
-
Question
In addition to issues with the Ajax programme, the Government are still struggling to get on top of the massive black hole in their equipment plan, which the most recent report from the National Audit Office found is up to £13 billion overdrawn and remains unaffordable for the fourth successive year. What plans does the Secretary of State have to plug the huge financial black hole?
Minister reply
With the greatest respect to the hon. Lady, the report she referred to was published prior to the injection of the additional £24 billion earlier this year. As a result of that, we will be publishing an equipment plan that will add up, for the first time in many years under successive Governments.
-
Question
As a proud member of the armed forces parliamentary scheme, I am delighted with the £24 billion investment in our armed forces that was set out in the integrated review. This investment presents a great opportunity to grow exports, particularly regarding armoured fighting vehicles. Can the Minister confirm what progress he may have made with colleagues in the Department for International Trade and what opportunities he may expect will arise?
Minister reply
It is absolutely right that we should look at the land industrial strategy to see what we can secure for this country. We have capabilities in armoured fighting vehicles like Ajax, Boxer, and Challenger 3 main battle tank, as well as potential in exporting ships, Typhoon aircrafts, and future combat air systems.