UK Army pauses Ajax armoured vehicle training after soldiers fall ill during Wiltshire exercise

The British Army has temporarily halted Ajax armoured vehicle training after soldiers reported illness linked to noise and vibration during a weekend exercise on Salisbury Plain in Wiltshire. Officials said about 30 personnel showed symptoms, with some vomiting and others visibly shaken, prompting a two-week pause while a safety investigation is conducted.

In a statement, the Ministry of Defence noted that the decision was taken "out of an abundance of caution" as engineers and medical staff review the events. A small amount of testing will continue to ensure that any issues can be identified and resolved, but full training and exercises have been paused for now.

The Ajax is built by General Dynamics in Merthyr Tydfil, part of a £6.3 billion programme intended to replace the Army’s older CVR(T) fleet. The vehicle reached initial operating capability (IOC) earlier, meaning a squadron could be deployed on operations, though the project has faced long-standing setbacks.

Officials say most affected personnel have been cleared for duty, with a minority still receiving expert medical care. The MoD emphasised that the two-week pause will allow a thorough safety review, while limited vehicle testing continues to help identify any underlying issues.

More than 160 Ajax vehicles have been produced out of an anticipated 589, and the programme has been blighted by delays and concerns over noise and vibration. A 2023 MoD review highlighted systemic and cultural problems within the procurement process, complicating the path to full operational capability.

Before the pause, Defence Secretary Luke Pollard had described Ajax as potentially the "most advanced medium-weight armoured fighting vehicle" and said a substantial squadron was ready for deployment, with more on the way.

What this means for the Ajax programme

The two-week suspension underscores ongoing safety concerns while the Army continues to test and refine the platform. While the IOC status allows limited deployment, the overall project remains subject to scrutiny as the MoD and contractor work to resolve persistent issues.

Analyst note: Procurement experts say pauses like this can be a difficult but necessary step to ensure troops’ safety, especially for a complex platform that has faced a string of challenges since its outset in 2014.

Key Takeaways

• Ajax training halted for two weeks after 30 soldiers report noise and vibration symptoms.
• A safety investigation is underway with limited vehicle testing continuing.
• The programme, built in Merthyr Tydfil, has faced long delays and reliability concerns.
• IOC has been achieved, but full deployment remains years away as safety issues are addressed.

Expert commentary

Expert view: The pause reflects a cautious approach to a high-profile procurement, balancing readiness with soldier safety. The defence sector will watch closely to see how issues are resolved before wider deployment resumes.

Summary

The Ajax programme has long been described as troubled, with safety concerns around noise and vibration repeatedly surfacing. The current pause for a formal safety review aims to identify and fix underlying problems while allowing limited testing to continue. Officials emphasise that the majority of affected personnel have recovered and returned to duty, but the plan is to ensure all potential risks are addressed before full-scale operations resume.

Key insight: The Ajax pause highlights ongoing safety and procurement challenges, even as the Army maintains a degree of readiness with IOC status. Source