UK government does not yet believe that General Dynamics company violated contract terms under the Ajax program, where it acts as developer and manufacturer. And all this despite the fact that after 15 years of work, the IFVs are still non-combat capable and continue to injure military personnel.
National Director of Armaments Rupert Pearce stated this before the parliament's defense committee. However, he noted that the investigation should provide additional information, after which appropriate agreement decisions will be applied.
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From Defense Express we can assume that although all this, at first glance, looks like the manufacturer is not guilty, most likely they're simply waiting for formal evidence of problems and violations. After which they'll move to sanctions and official accusations.
However, one can also understand the negative reaction to the response in the British information sphere, because this can indeed sound like an attempt to hide a catastrophe. This is not helped by rumors about the threat of tribunal for military personnel who began exposing problems.
Well, the previous context regarding Ajax, which has been in development since 2010 and cost 6.5 billion pounds, must be considered. After announcing initial readiness, less than a month later the vehicles were banned from use due to fighter injuries.
Earlier, British government officials noted they are ready to even close the project if necessary. This way they'll manage to avoid additional costs and start searching for and purchasing alternatives faster.
However, this could create an absence of tracked IFVs altogether, considering preparations for scrapping Warrior. While replacement will arrive quite slowly, not to mention that the procurement process may drag on, as with RCH 155 howitzers, which for over a year and a half since choosing these howitzers still haven't been bought.
Regarding additional costs, the previously mentioned Rupert Pearce noted that the Ajax contract has fixed cost, so all corrections will fall on the manufacturer’s shoulders General Dynamics Land Systems UK. However, the question arises how qualitatively the necessary work will be conducted if any costs will reduce the company's profit.
One way or another, most likely no official decisions will be made before investigations are completed, of which there are already four: by the army, Ministry of Defense Accident Investigation Department, ministerial review, and independent investigation. Moreover, not only the possibility of fixing the vehicles' traumatic nature is being checked, but also the practicality of its use on the battlefield in general.
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