16122025 Ajax drives through muddy water CREDIT MOD — Ajax's future is in muddy waters after vibration issues led soldiers to seek medical attention last year (Picture: MOD)

Army

War is coming and Ajax needs fixing now, MP and former Army officer warns Carns

Ajax needs fixing, and it needs fixing now - that was the message MPs had for the Government during a parliamentary debate on the future of the beleaguered armoured fighting vehicle.

Conservative MP and former Army officer Ben Obese-Jecty, who led the debate, told Armed Forces Minister Al Carns: "Fix Ajax and fix it quickly – there is a war coming."

The MP's warning came at the end of a list of 37 queries, which also saw Mr Carns challenged on the status of the investigation into £5.5bn Ajax programme.

Injured soldiers making progress

Ajax was slapped with a "do not use" order back in November, after more than 30 soldiers suffered injuries related to the vehicle's vibration and noise problems during Exercise Titan Storm.

Mr Carns said of the 35 injured soldiers, nine are back to normal duties, 24 are being monitored by the medical services for ongoing impacts related to hearing and vibration, and two were found to have issues unrelated to Ajax.

To date, 45 inspections have been made on the 23 vehicles that were found to be causing issues, with more inspections to follow.

Ajax firing and moving in extreme weather conditions in Sweden — Ajax was declared to have reached Initial Operating Capability last year after undergoing testing in a variety of conditions, but crew illnesses continued (Picture: MOD)

Safety comes first, says Carns

Mr Carns said safety was the Ministry of Defence's first priority, and if the vehicle wasn’t up to scratch, all options would be looked at.

"It's important that each of the investigation teams are given the time and space required to get to the bottom of the recent incidents and past failures so we can take the most appropriate and accountable next steps," he said.

"I want to be clear, there is no pre-determined outcome. Ministers will be lead by the facts and all options are absolutely on the table."

Quoting Defence Secretary John Healey, Mr Carns added: "When it comes to this programme we must either back it or indeed scrap it."

He closed his remarks by stating a review will come out next week.