Trials of the Army’s £6.3 billion armoured vehicle are to resume – despite the Mail exclusively revealing troops face the threat of carbon monoxide poisoning.
The budget busting Ajax project has been beset with technical injuries causing scores of soldiers to suffer injuries.
The Mail on Sunday’s scoop included the classified report of Ajax’s latest litany of concerns including missing air filters resulting in ‘cold exposure and possible fume or CO/CO2 exposure’.
Those issues arose on Exercise Titan Storm staged in Hampshire in November last year.
Today, Minister for Defence Readiness Luke Pollard promised to ‘proceed cautiously’ in light of the latest issues, which cannot be pinpointed to a single cause.
More than 30 soldiers fell in following those most recent tests so resuming trials is a major move for ministers.
Pictured a decade ago, yet it is still not fully in service, the Ajax armoured vehicle was supposed to offer the Army a step-change in capability. Ajax has suffered so many problems soldiers fear it is jinxed.
They have based their decision on the findings of the Army Safety Investigation Team (ASIT) which the Mail acquired from defence sources.
In his statement presented to Parliament this morning Pollard reduced the clear warnings about Carbon Monoxide (CO2) and Carbon Dioxide (CO) to ‘air quality’.
Inhaling Carbon Monoxide is dangerous because it prevents blood from carrying oxygen, effectively starving vital organs like the brain and the heart.
Because CO2 is odourless and colourless it is often called the ‘silent killer’. Low level symptoms include headaches, dizziness and gastrointestinal issues.
Pollard said: ‘The ASIT’s findings indicate no single causal mechanism of the symptoms reported by our soldiers but rather a combination of multiple factors.
‘Instead, these symptoms were likely the result of… technical issues related to the platform conditions at the time of the exercise – such as incorrect track tension and loose or missing engine deck bolts – alongside environmental and human factors, including variability in training and experience, cold exposure and air quality within the Ajax vehicle itself.
‘All personnel have returned to normal duties following Exercise Titan Storm. The majority of soldiers who felt ill during this exercise suffered from temporary symptoms and with the ASIT report concluding that there was no single causal factor, I have now agreed to restart the acceptance of vehicles from General Dynamics.
‘However, I accept that the experience for our soldiers using Ajax has not been good enough and that is not acceptable. I have implemented strict new controls on the reintroduction of the Ajax vehicles that are focused on providing a significantly improved user experience.’
A batch of 23 vehicles crewed by troops who suffered illness are being held back before being reintroduced to Army regiments.
The second phase of Ajax delivery will see improvements relating to the use of air filtration crew compartment heating and the electrical power generation system.
Pollard added: ‘Any return to training will be controlled with a crawl-walk-run staged progression ensuring safety is paramount throughout.
‘We know we have more to do to rebuild confidence in the vehicle and we do not underestimate the work still ahead. The above commitments will be met within the existing programme scope and financial envelope.’
Previously Ajax has caused injuries including hearing loss and joint damage due to vibrations. The troubled vehicle is manufactured in Merthyr Tydfil, South Wales.
The future of Ajax has also caused huge rows between top brass, some of whom want to scrap the vehicle.
Ajax has already cost taxpayers billions of pounds and the Ministry of Defence is expected to make further payments based on contractual obligations.
Today, Conservative Defence Minister Mark Francois said: ‘Today’s written statement raises more questions than answers. The safety of our troops is paramount but the statement is vague about worrying concerns about the potential adverse effect of CO2 on Ajax crews.
‘We have been saying for months that ministers must finally ‘fix Ajax or fail it’. This vague statement does not confirm they have done either.’
The Army is due to receive 589 Ajax vehicles to form the backbone of its expanded armour strike brigades. The first 40-ton vehicles should have entered service back in 2011. The problems prompted Conservative Defence Secretary Ben Wallace to call Ajax ‘a ridiculous project’.
The MOD was supposed to issue a statement regarding Ajax last week. Plans were changed after the report reached Whitehall.
The MOD says the safety of its soldiers is its high priority.
Ajax vehicles are based on an adaptable Common Base Platform, maximising commonality in mobility, electronic architecture and survivability.
Each Ajax variant has extensive capabilities, including acoustic detectors, a laser warning system, a local situational awareness system, an electronic countermeasure system, a route marking system, an advanced electronic architecture and a high-performance power pack.
Today, manufacturers General Dynamics UK welcomed the resumption of tests.
A spokesperson said: 'GD UK has confidence in the performance and protection Ajax is designed to provide.
'It is the world’s most advanced, fully digitised, armoured fighting vehicle and ensures soldiers see and understand the battlefield faster than any adversary.'