Soldiers reported hearing issues in final tests of new armoured vehicle

Soldiers had to be given medical treatment for hearing issues this summer during final testing of the British army’s new Ajax armoured vehicle, whose introduction has been delayed for several years amid concerns about deafness.

- Dan Sabbagh Defence and security editor

The £5.5bn model was nevertheless classified as fit for deployment in September because an investigation concluded there were “no systemic issues” - although health concerns among the troops involved remain.

One source said “our people are still being hurt”. The Ministry of Defence said “a small number” of soldiers had reported noise and vibration concerns and were processed at a military medical centre.

Luke Pollard, a junior defence minister, said on Wednesday at a launch event for the vehicle, which has now been formally accepted into army service, that Ajax’s noise and vibration problems were “firmly in the past”.

“If it were not safe, we would not be putting it in the hands of our frontline troops, Pollard said. “I’ve been reassured from the top of the army down to the folks that work on the platform that it is safe.”