UK sticks with Ajax military vehicles after safety issues

LONDON, ​April 28 (Reuters) - ⁠Britain's defence readiness minister Luke ​Pollard said he had agreed to restart the army's acceptance of Ajax ​armoured ‌vehicles from General Dynamics with strict controls focused on improving the ⁠experience for soldiers after safety issues.

The 6 billion ⁠pound ($8.1 billion) Ajax programme ​has been beset by technical faults and delays since the order was made in 2014, and there were reports the vehicle ​could ‌be scrapped after trials left troops feeling unwell from noise and vibration.

Pollard paused trials in December to allow a safety investigation after soldiers were left vomiting and experienced hearing loss ​and uncontrollable shaking.

He said on Tuesday that limited trials would ‌now restart after findings showed noise and vibration were within exposure limits, but that improvements would ‌be made to the vehicle relating to the use of air filtration, heating and the electrical power generation system.

Pollard said the ​improvements would be met within "the existing programme scope and financial envelope", amid ‌worries that a substantial fix could cost millions of pounds at a time when tight budgets have already delayed the country's Defence Investment ⁠Plan ⁠by months.

"We will continue to work ‌with General Dynamics to proceed safely, responsibly, and transparently to deliver an improved Ajax ​user experience ​for our soldiers," Pollard said.

Ajax vehicles are ‌made by General Dynamics in South Wales, where their facilities employ about 700 people.

General Dynamics Corp