Army pauses use of Ajex vehicles built in Wales after health alert

THE Army has paused the use of Ajax armoured vehicles for two weeks after soldiers became unwell during a war game exercise.

- DAVID LYNCH

Over the weekend of November 22 and 23 some 30 soldiers became ill when training to use the armoured fighting vehicles, which are built in Merthyr Tydfil.

Some emerged vomiting from the vehicles, while others were shaking violently after the exercise on Salisbury Plain, according to the Times.

The latest setback came after defence minister Luke Pollard claimed the £6.3bn programme has “left its troubles behind’, as Ajax declared initial operating capability.