Overview
- About 30 personnel reported noise and vibration symptoms during a Nov. 22 training exercise, prompting a pause on training and operations.
- Defence Minister Luke Pollard ordered a ministerial-led review staffed by external experts, including Malcolm Chalmers, with findings to go to the Defence Secretary.
- Pollard said he approved Initial Operating Capability on Nov. 6 after written assurances from Army chief Gen. Roly Walker and acting National Armaments Director Andy Start that Ajax was demonstrably safe to operate.
- A Ministry of Defence spokesperson said over 42,000 km of trials found no systemic issues, while preliminary results from an Army safety investigation are expected soon.
- General Dynamics UK launched an internal probe after a trials manager publicly blamed crews for problems, as questions grow over delivery progress, planned deployments and export prospects.