Army pauses Ajax armoured vehicle use after soldiers report illness during trials

The British Army has temporarily paused use of its Ajax armoured fighting vehicles following fresh reports that soldiers became unwell while operating the platform during training and trials.

The Ministry of Defence (MoD) has confirmed that personnel raised concerns about noise and vibration exposure, with some attending medical facilities for assessment.

Ajax is a 40-tonne tracked vehicle built by General Dynamics for reconnaissance, troop transport and command roles. The fleet is central to a long-running £5.5bn modernisation programme intended to replace ageing armoured vehicles, and it has only recently been declared ready for initial operations after years of delays.

What happened?

According to reports, soldiers trialling multiple Ajax variants during summer exercises experienced symptoms linked to excessive noise and vibration. These included hearing-related complaints and other health effects such as nausea and motion sickness.

The Army has now halted use of the vehicles while a further safety review is carried out.

A programme with a history of safety concerns

The latest pause reopens a controversy that has shadowed Ajax for years. Trials were previously suspended in 2021 after large numbers of personnel reported hearing loss and

other injuries associated with noise and vibration. An MoD health and safety review later criticised failings in the way those risks were identified and managed.

Although changes were made - including enhanced hearing protection and seating modifications - some defence analysts and sources within the Army have continued to question whether the underlying problem has been fully resolved.

Why noise-induced injury matters for personnel

Repeated exposure to high noise and vibration levels can cause serious and lasting harm. In military settings, this may include:

• Noise-induced hearing loss

• Tinnitus (ringing or buzzing in the ears)

• Balance or vestibular issues

• Headaches, nausea, and fatigue linked to vibration exposure

Support and advice

Hilary Meredith Solicitors continues to monitor developments around Ajax closely. If you are a serving member of the Armed Forces or a veteran who has experienced hearing loss, tinnitus, or other health problems linked to Ajax trials or other noisy/vibrating military equipment, please get in touch.