Ajax Trials Halted After Soldier Falls Ill During UK Army Testing – An Interview with Lembit Opik

The UK government has paused Ajax armoured vehicle trials once again after a soldier fell ill during testing, renewing scrutiny of the £6.3bn programme. Former British parliamentarian Lembit Opik says the latest incident highlights deep-rooted failures in defence procurement, transparency, and political decision-making that risk soldier safety while wasting public money.

 1- What does the latest suspension of Ajax trials reveal about systemic failures in the UK’s defence procurement and testing processes?

The UK defence procurement and testing processes are terrible – and indicate how chaotic the entire British military operation has become. How can it win a war if it can’t even order working equipment?

2- With multiple investigations now underway, how should the Ministry of Defence balance transparency, accountability, and operational readiness while these inquiries continue?

Everybody knows there are loads of investigations into the failures of the UK military and how it runs itself. The only answer here is honesty. Let’s remember this is public money, and the public has a right to know what’s gone wrong and how they intend to put it right. Sadly, they keep secrets because they don’t have answers – and the failures are hugely embarrassing to the once great British Military

3-  Noise and vibration injuries have affected dozens of soldiers over several years. From an expert standpoint, how unusual are these issues in armoured vehicle development, and what does this suggest about the Ajax design and testing regime?

There is no specific reason why noise and vibration should be problems in military equipment. The best equipment takes care of its passengers and users. Unfortunately, this is a lesson the UK establishment can’t seem to learn. So, in world military hardware, these problems are not very common because the bar equipment is thrown out. But in British military hardware, the problems seem to come from a built in mindset of bad planning and this has ruined much of the procurement outcomes of the army, navy and airforce.

4- Given the £6.3bn cost and repeated delays since the vehicle was meant to enter service in 2017. at what point should the government consider scaling back, redesigning, or even cancelling the Ajax programme?

The Government should cancel the Ajax project now. The best they can hope for is a vehicle that works. But it will never be brilliant. Basically, they’ve wasted over £6 billion on a machine that should have cost one sixth as much and been ready far sooner. If they want a great machine that does everything the Ajax was meant to do, they should ask China to make it. Then they’ll get it on time and in budget.

5- How might ongoing problems with Ajax influence future UK defence investment decisions, particularly as the government prepares its delayed defence investment plan?

The worst thing about the Ajax fiasco is that it won’t change anything. Britain has incompetent cabinet ministers who don’t understand business because they’ve never run one. This means Britain is doomed to keep wasting billions on bad projects that deliver problems not solutions. The military procurement failures reflect the general decline of a country that won two world wars, but now can’t even order a good troop carrier

6-  What are the wider implications of the Ajax situation for defence industrial jobs—especially in places like Merthyr Tydfil. How can the government protect skilled employment while prioritising soldier safety?

Merthyr Tydfil was depending on the Ajax contact to deliver high value jobs in a difficult economic time. The Labour Government will probably continue with this project, partly for political reasons. But the product the people of Merthyr tydfil are making will not get huge orders because it isn’t good enough. i fear the government will prioritize jobs in Merthyr above soldier safety in the Ajax.

This is a classic example of how incompetent politicians made bad decisions that waste public money and weaken the British army. The only reason the Ajax continues is political pride and a fear of looking like they’ve wasted billions in a time of austerity.