Recommendation 28

The Department told us it is seeking to design its new armoured vehicles, including Boxer and Challenger, to make through-life capability management easier. It recognised the need to update capabilities as new technologies emerge and keep pace with emerging military threats.61 It expected its new armoured vehicles to have a 30-to-40-year life and the software systems have been designed to enable future upgrades to be incorporated. To facilitate this, the Department said it was seeking to develop a longer-term relationship with industry to enable upgrades throughout Ajax’s service life.62 53 Q 57; C&AG’s Report, para. 3 54 Qq 8, 57, 59, 60 55 Qq 60, 61 56 Q 62; C&AG’s Report, para. 2.16 57 Q 61 58 Q 108; C&AG’s Report, para 18 59 Q 3 60 Qq 51, 52, 66, 104, 108; C&AG’s Report, para. 18 61 Qq 24, 32 62 Qq 25, 52 16 Armoured Vehicles: the Ajax programme