Source · Select Committees · Public Accounts Committee
Recommendation 19
19
The Department told us that its contract with General Dynamics was to produce vehicles at...
Conclusion
The Department told us that its contract with General Dynamics was to produce vehicles at an acceptable level of noise using existing headsets. It asserted that those headsets performed as it had assumed they would when the contract was let, something which General Dynamics disputes. However, the Department admitted that the headsets worn by its crews had not provided the higher levels of protection it had expected.38 The Army had been aware of the issues with these headsets on other armoured vehicles since at least 2019. It said it planned to upgrade existing headsets to ensure soldiers can complete missions in a way that is effective and safe, and is introducing new headsets into the Army from August 2022.39
Government Response
Not Addressed
HM Government
Not Addressed
The department is focussed on identifying the root causes of the noise and vibration issues to develop long-term solutions to ensure Ajax operates as required by the Army. The Written Ministerial Statement laid out in Parliament on 19 May 2022 sets out the assessments underway to determine the efficacy of the modifications proposed by General Dynamics, in particularly the user trials that will provide additional data for the independent assessment on the effectiveness of the modifications and develop a safe system of work to protect personnel in future tests and trials. An update on progress will be provided to the Committee at the next Ajax evidence session.