Ajax Tanks

Learn about the Ajax Tank Case!

when old out of date

initial out of service was 2014, extended to 2023

what

British army’s new armored fighting vehicle program

how much money

5.5bn pounds for 589 vehicles

when expected

in march 2023, MoD announced 2025, with full operating capability expected in 2028-2029

ajax

recon

ares

personnel carrier

athena

command and control

argus

engineer recon

atlas and apollo

recovery and repair

when began

2010, initial expectation ajax enter service in 2017

issue 1

noise and vibration issues causing injury to soldiers

issue 2

management of program - high turnover of senior personnel with 5 since 2011 who only spent 10% of their time (up to 30% in 2018)

first full time program man

senior responsible owner (SRO) in october 2021

issue 3

MoD selected a “technically unproven and immature 40mm cannon”, caused technical problems

how many exposed to noise and vibration

310 total, 17 in specialist outpatient care, 4 discharged from army

issue 4

morpheus (computing and info system for ajax) has been delayed and had significant cost increases, meaning Ajax’s full digital capability will not be ready as early as intended

early trials couldn’t

travel more than 20mph or fire while moving

who said what 1

national audit office (NAO) said MoD not managed program effectively, it “faces significant challenges”

who said what 2

Public Accounts Committee said MoD’s management of program was “flawed from the outset”

2024 development 1

completed first firing on the move exercise

2024 development 2

over 150 ajax vehicles been produced