I am releasing this statement to the House today to provide Parliament with a further update on the Armoured Cavalry Programme, commonly known as Ajax, following issues raised on Exercise Titan Storm in November 2025.
Since Exercise Titan Storm, there have been a number of reports and investigations undertaken to understand the causes of the issues presented. I can now provide an update on the status of each of these reports and the associated next steps:
Army Safety Investigation Team (ASIT) investigation – as I outlined in my previous statement to the House on 28 Apr 26, the ASIT investigation has concluded and found that there was no single causal mechanism but rather a combination of multiple factors. Work is already underway to progress the findings of this investigation.Defence Accident Investigation Branch (DAIB) investigation – the DAIB undertook initial investigations at the scene in the immediate aftermath of the incident and passed responsibility for the further investigation to ASIT.
A Ministerial Review was conducted to examine the quality of advice given to Ministers, Senior Officials and military leadership – I provided an update on this in my statement to the House on 22 Jan 26, and on 28 Apr 26 advised that a further review had been commissioned. This further review will be chaired by Jonathan Simcock and will evaluate the four previous reviews, looking specifically at the events leading up to the declaration of Initial Operating Capability. Jonathan Simcock has significant experience of Government major projects having led the Infrastructure and Projects Authority as well as holding a portfolio of non-executive and advisory positions across Government. This review is due to complete by the Autumn. I will provide a further update to the house on this review in due course.
Ajax Independent Expert Panel Review – I can confirm that this review has now concluded and the findings have been provided to Ministers. The panel comprised 51 independent subject matter experts from defence, science, medicine and industry. The panel agreed with the ASIT report that the platform is safe when operated and maintained within the correct parameters but noted that further action is required to improve the user experience. The report made 41 recommendations which are categorised into four groups: technical and maintenance; training considerations; environment, motion sickness and psychological factors; and vibration and noise. All priority recommendations have been agreed in principle and work is underway to align with extant ASIT activity, this will be completed in the Summer including a timetable for resulting actions. We are also considering whether any of the recommendations have broader applicability against other programmes and platforms as a precautionary measure. I will report back to the House on progress against the recommendations in due course.
The strategic case for Ajax remains extant. The capability is critical to a fully networked, persistent and lethal capability that sits at the heart of the British Army’s recce strike complex.
We have resumed acceptance of the Ajax vehicles, with sixteen vehicles accepted. Trials have now restarted and Army training is planned to commence shortly.
The safety of our Service Personnel remains paramount throughout this process and we continue to work closely with General Dynamics to deliver the vehicle that provides the world-leading capability they need. I will continue to keep the House closely updated on the progress of the programme.
https://www.theyworkforyou.com/wms/?id=2026-07-14.hcws237.0
seen at 12:29, 15 July in Written Ministerial Statements.