Labour responds to NAO's report on AJAX

John Healey MP, Shadow Defence Secretary, responding to the NAO’s report on AJAX, said:

“Ministers are failing British troops and British taxpayers.

“The National Audit Office report confirms an AJAX-shaped hole in the Government’s defence plans, with £3b spent over 12 years but only 26 vehicles delivered - costing £122m per vehicle. Despite knowing about the delays and faults, Ministers doubled-down on AJAX, making it central to the Army’s future fighting capability in the Government’s Integrated Review. 

“AJAX is the biggest defence procurement failure of the past decade and dragging out the decision to scrap or stick with the programme leaves future Army plans in limbo. With growing Russian aggression, Ministers risk leaving our Armed Forces without the equipment they need to fight and fulfil our NATO obligations.”