Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many instances of noise and vibration symptoms have occurred since the start of the Armoured Cavalry Programme.

The health and safety of our Service personnel will always remain my top priority. The problems with the Armoured Cavalry programme (commonly known as Ajax) are a matter of public record under the last Government.

As reported to the House in my recent Written Statement dated 22 January 2026, a number of personnel reported noise and vibration symptoms during Exercise TITAN STORM in November 2025. Following a second separate incident that I reported to the House on 18 December 2025, I directed a pause on all Ajax trials and testing.

It is clear that soldiers suffered symptoms resembling those of noise and vibration during the Exercise in November 2025 and we need to find out why from our further investigations. Investigations remain ongoing and I will provide an update to the House when I am in receipt of their findings.