£6.3bn military project 'has left troubles behind’

THE Ajax armoured vehicle programme has “left its troubles behind”, a Government minister has promised.

- ELEANOR STOREY

The £6.3 billion Ministry of Defence project to build 589 of the advanced vehicles has been a source of strong criticism, after years of delays.

While vehicles were initially intended to enter service in 2017, the project has suffered serious setbacks, with problems including noise and vibration issues which injured soldiers testing the vehicles.

The Ajax project has now declared initial operating capability (IOC), a key delivery milestone that means it can now deploy a squadron on operations. Luke Pollard, minister for defence readiness and industry, said it had “overcome” its difficulties.

Speaking in Merthyr Tydfil last Wednesday, the Labour MP for Plymouth Sutton and Devonport, said: “Ajax has overcome significant challenges, but importantly we can say it has left its troubles behind.