Recommendation 27

Delivering the full Ajax capability depends on the Department delivering supporting programmes, including new communication systems, training facilities and infrastructure projects to store the vehicles.58 The Army will also need to transport the vehicles to military operations.59 However, the Department has encountered difficulties in delivering the enabling programmes needed to deliver the intended capability improvements. In particular, delays to the Morpheus programme mean it will be longer before Ajax has the enhanced digital and communication systems, which are so important to the way in which the Army plans to use the vehicles. It told us that it expected to upgrade Ajax to the new Morpheus system while the vehicles were in-service, and it would continue with its plan to use the latest Bowman communication system until then. The Army said it was content that the Bowman system was operating effectively.60