U.K. Army Says Ajax Illness Incident in November Linked to Improper Operation

An incident involving more than 30 soldiers falling ill while operating the Ajax armored vehicle in November 2025 was reportedly caused by the platform not being operated or maintained within required specifications.

The U.K. Ministry of Defence had paused testing of Ajax after reports that soldiers experienced vomiting and shaking during training on Exercise Titan Storm. Lieutenant General Anna-Lee Reilly told the Public Accounts Committee that findings from the Army’s safety investigation team indicate the vehicle presents no safety concerns when used as designed, as per Forces News.

Reilly said the incident followed prolonged use of the vehicle under conditions where operational and maintenance standards were not fully met. She told lawmakers that adherence to specified procedures is required to ensure safe use and added that updated instructions, including routine checks during operations, are being implemented.

During the hearing, questions were raised about whether commanders were aware of operating parameters during the exercise. Reilly said the issue was not due to wilful neglect but linked to the demands of extended cross-country operations, where factors such as track tension can change over time.

She said the Army is working to restore armoured vehicle operating skills, which she noted had declined after years of deployments in Iraq and Afghanistan. Reilly added that returning soldiers to Ajax platforms is a priority to maintain operational proficiency.

Sir Geoffrey Clifton Brown, chair of the Public Accounts Committee, said concerns remain about risks to personnel, particularly related to hearing and vibration.

The Ajax programme, led by General Dynamics, has faced delays since its planned entry into service in 2017. The £6.3 billion programme includes 589 vehicles across six variants, with deliveries now expected by 2030.

Earlier in January 2026, Defence Minister Luke Pollard confirmed that a senior official overseeing the programme had been removed after internal reviews found that safety risks, particularly those linked to noise and vibration, were not fully disclosed before the vehicle was cleared for use. Pollard said the programme’s initial operating capability status has been paused and described the findings as “unacceptable.”