Ajax set to be fully operational by end of 2029 – pending safety probes, says Pollard
Ajax is set to be ready for full operational deployment by the end of 2029, Defence Readiness and Industry Minister Luke Pollard has said.
However, he did point out that the troubled vehicle, which is being built under the Armoured Cavalry Programme, remains the subject of several safety and ministerial probes.
Mr Pollard's update on the status of the problematic armoured fighting vehicle came in response to a parliamentary question from shadow defence secretary Mark Francois.
Investigations ongoing
The Conservative MP had asked Defence Secretary John Healey what the latest estimated date was for Ajax achieving Full Operating Capability.
Mr Pollard, answering on Mr Healey's behalf, replied: "Safety investigations and a ministerial review into the Armoured Cavalry Programme (commonly known as Ajax) remain ongoing.
"However, on current plans, Full Operating Capability for the Armoured Cavalry Programme is still expected to be achieved by the end of 2029."
Contract worth billions
Ajax, a family of six vehicles carrying out a variety of roles from reconnaissance to repair and recovery, has run into a number of obstacles, including underlying and unresolved safety issues for the personnel using it.
Noise and vibration issues have led to more than 30 soldiers becoming ill after operating the vehicle, and a number of videos were released showing problems such as loose panels, the rear door closing on a mannequin and water pooling inside the vehicle.
The National Audit Office admitted that delivering the Ajax programme would pose a significant challenge for the Ministry of Defence.
The MOD has a £5.522bn contract with General Dynamics Land Systems UK for the design, manufacture and initial in-service support of 589 Ajax armoured vehicles.
It pointed out that the initial planning assumption was that the vehicles would be in service in 2017, but subsequently set an initial operating capability (IOC) date of July 2020, which it then pushed back to June 2021.
Can it be made fit for purpose?
Mr Pollard declared IOC for the Ajax programme last September, but that was short-lived with concerns about excessive noise and vibration levels persisting.
Whether or not Ajax does eventually make it into British Army service remains to be seen, with its future far from certain.
While the incident involving the soldiers who became ill while using the vehicle on Salisbury Plain happened last November, the problems with the vehicle go back several years.
Back in 2022, the NAO said: "It is not yet clear whether the programme's issues are resolvable."
The Ajax programme is currently the subject of a number of reviews into the specific incidents in which personnel became injured, a wider review of safety issues across the Ajax fleet and a ministerial review into the way the Armoured Cavalry Programme has been managed.
Ajax on hold
After the November 2025 incident, Mr Pollard halted the use of the vehicle.
He said: "The safety of our service personnel remains a top priority for the MOD. As such, and out of an abundance of caution, I have directed a pause on use of Ajax for training and exercising, while a safety investigation is carried out.
"The rapid escalation of medical concerns, and halting the exercise immediately, demonstrates both the professionalism of our people, and an improved safety culture functioning as designed, with the chain of command acting appropriately and with the required urgency.
"It is important to highlight that Ajax is continually being tested and developed. This approach enables our soldiers and industry partners to work collaboratively to address challenges as they are identified."
He went on: "The Defence Accident Investigation Board and the Army Safety Investigation Team are working with General Dynamics at pace to conduct an investigation into the incident.
"The Ministry of Defence will provide further updates in due course, upon completion of the investigation."
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