Written statement on Armoured Cavalry Programme: Ajax Update - Oct 20

Minister for Defence Procurement (Alec Shelbrooke): I wish to provide an update on the Ajax equipment project that is part of the Armoured Cavalry Programme.

My first concern is the safety of our personnel, which has been at the forefront of the work that has been ongoing over the summer. I am pleased to be able to inform the House that, following agreement from the Ajax Safety Panel, this work has led to resuming the User Validation Trials paused earlier this year and since Monday 10^th October there have been eight days of trials.

Successful completion of User Validation Trials will allow progression toward Reliability Growth Trials.

I will continue to ensure that the House is kept updated on these matters.