MPs call for soldiers involved in troubled Ajax programme trials to share experiences
MPs are asking soldiers to share their experiences of the troubled Ajax vehicle for a new inquiry into the procurement of military equipment.
A special defence sub-committee has been set up to investigate Defence Equipment and Support (DE&S) – which is part of the Ministry of Defence (MOD) responsible for buying and maintaining military kit.
Conservative MP Mark Francois, the chairman of the sub-committee, told the Forces News Sitrep podcast that the names of serving personnel can be withheld from the final report in the same way as the recent investigation into the experiences of women in the Armed Forces.
"The defence committee are so frustrated now with all of these endless procurement problems and cost overruns and delays.
"We've established a special subcommittee to conduct an inquiry into what's wrong with our procurement, specifically to look at (DE&S)," Mark Francois said.
"But I think it's probably not giving away, you know, the Trident codes here to say that we are likely to look very closely at the Ajax Problem program as an example of something that went horribly wrong," the Conservative MP added.
The MOD project to build 589 state-of-the-art Ajax vehicles has been severely criticised after running for nearly 13 years without yet providing a single deployable vehicle.
Originally intended to enter service in 2017, Ajax has been repeatedly delayed, with problems including noise and vibration issues which included soldiers being medically discharged from service because of hearing loss during trials.
It could still be another 18 months until the vehicles is in service, although Defence Secretary Ben Wallace last week said the programme is "turning the corner" following improvements.
Two years ago, another inquiry by the Public Accounts Committee found the "system for delivering major equipment capabilities is broken and is repeatedly wasting taxpayers' money".
An effort has been made to see what lessons can be learnt in order to improve the service offered by DE&S.
Submissions are particularly welcome from those with direct experience working with Defence Equipment and Support itself, whether within MOD and the Armed Forces or the defence supply chain.
"We'd really like to hear from members of the armed forces and people who work in procurement who can tell us what's really going wrong from the inside," Mr Francois said.
Mr Francois also said that while the inquiry is much wider than just the Ajax programme, which has caused injuries to some personnel through loud noise and vibration, it has been the particular source of frustration that has prompted the set up of the special committee and DE&S inquiry
You can read more, and submit written evidence on the UK Parliament website portal (submissions close on 30 March).
You can hear more on Sitrep, on BFBS Radio at 18:30 UK Time (Thurs 2nd March) / The BFBS Radio Sitrep Podcast (from Thursday evening onwards).
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