Overview
- Defence Minister Luke Pollard ordered a full pause after a soldier reported vibration symptoms on December 12 at Bovington; the vehicle was withdrawn and the soldier did not require hospital care.
- Training and exercising had already been suspended on November 26 after about 30 troops reported noise and vibration symptoms during Exercise Titan Storm, prompting inspections of 23 vehicles.
- Four investigations — by the Army, the Defence Accident Investigation Branch, a ministerial review and independent external oversight — are underway to establish causes and next steps.
- National Armaments Director Rupert Pearce told MPs that General Dynamics is not currently in breach of its firm‑price contract and warned that any safety fix must not leave the vehicle usable only under impractical restrictions.
- Ministers say findings will shape the delayed Defence Investment Plan, with inspection results due in the new year and a decision on whether trials can restart to follow.