MOD accused of placing unrealistic expectations on troops operating Ajax

The MOD is placing unrealistic expectations on how soldiers operate the Ajax safely when it has still not resolved the underlying noise and vibration issues affecting the vehicle, a parliamentary committee has warned.

MPs on the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) recalled how in November 2025 Exercise Titan Storm was halted when 33 soldiers reported symptoms from noise and vibration after operating in Ajax armoured vehicles.

The PAC pointed out how the MOD insisted Ajax was safe when operated and maintained correctly within its design parameters – but did not explain clearly how this exercise had exceeded those limitations.

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Vehicles must be fit for purpose

"The Department [the MOD] now expects soldiers to do maintenance checks every time they stop the vehicle, but that seems unreasonable, particularly as soldiers may need to use vehicles for long periods in combat," the PAC said.

"The need for our soldiers to develop and maintain the skills they require to operate on armoured vehicles is clear, but those vehicles must be fit for purpose."

The committee noted how the MOD was developing a package of upgrades loosely referred to as Ajax 2, including composite rubber tracks and automatic track tensioners.

These are intended to make Ajax a more comfortable ride for its crew and to improve the experience of the soldiers travelling in or operating it.

Hope, rather than expectation

"The Department did not tell us the likely costs of these upgrades," the PAC continued. "We wait to see, more in hope than in expectation, whether these endeavours will succeed."

The committee made two recommendations.

It said the MOD should explain why it believes the current required operating parameters and restrictions for Ajax vehicles are realistic and appropriate, given the nature of the tasks those vehicles and their crews are expected to undertake both in training and on the battlefield.

It also said the MOD should provide a detailed memorandum which sets out precisely how much the MOD will pay for Ajax.

The memorandum should also include details of:

:: How much the manufacturer will pay for the delays in delivering a vehicle that is fit for purpose

:: The cost of modifications, including the so-called Ajax 2 enhancements, that are needed to bring the vehicles up to that standard, including how much of the additional cost the manufacturer will bear

:: Why the MOD still expects Ajax can be made fit for purpose

A new era of defence

The Ministry of Defence did not respond specifically to the committee's concerns about Ajax. However, a spokesperson said: "We are in a new era of threat, which demands a new era of defence.

"Our nuclear deterrent protects us every moment of every day and our hardworking personnel are deployed across the world working hand in hand with our allies to keep Britain secure at home and strong abroad.

"The Government is providing a generational increase in defence spending, with an extra £270bn across this parliament, ensuring no return to the hollowed out Armed Forces of the past and the Strategic Defence Review sets out our path to increasing warfighting readiness.

"We are getting on with the job – since July 2024 we have signed over 1,400 major contracts, with nine in 10 contracts going to British-based companies.

"And we have successfully reversed the four-year decline in Armed Forces recruitment, meaning more personnel are now joining the military than leaving for the first time since 2020.

"The Defence Investment Plan will fix the outdated, overcommitted and underfunded programme we inherited. We are working hard to finalise it. As the Defence Secretary told Parliament... the Prime Minister is determined to publish it before the Nato summit."