Recent comments from the Defence Secretary, Ben Wallace, have ignited hopes that the expensive and ‘troubled’ project to build and introduce a fleet of advanced military vehicles may not be as troubled as what was previously thought.

In 2010, the Ministry of Defence agreed a contract for US Aerospace Company, General Dynamics, to build a fleet of state-of-the-art fighting vehicles for the UK military. 

The Government has since then invested a total of £5.5 billion into the programme with the vehicles originally being hoped to deploy back in 2020.

Unfortunately, this did not happen as the project was hampered with technical issues resulting in significant delays and further expenditure.

Following the manufacturer of prototypes, all trials were urgently stopped when it became clear the vehicles were causing health problems to the personnel involved in the testing. The crews reported nausea, hearing loss, swollen joints and tinnitus.

Investigations into the hearing loss suffered by crews revealed that the problems stemmed from the integration of the headsets for the radios, which were picking up the engine noise, amplifying it, and distributing the noise directly into the user’s ears.

The testing also reported ‘excessive’ vibration when the vehicles were in operation leading to damage to the electronical systems. Crews also suffered physical symptoms indicating the vehicles could cause Hand-Arm Vibration Syndrome from prolonged use.

The project has stalled and remains incomplete despite receiving the go ahead over 10 years ago. Former head of the Royal Navy Lord West of Spithead, speaking to Parliament in December 2022, called the project: “…a complete and utter disaster. It has been a real shambles...”

However, at the Defence Secretary, Ben Wallace’s, recent visit to Bovington Camp to meet  the crews and observe demonstrations, he ignited fresh hopes the project may get back on track, stating: 

“I have been clear this was a troubled programme, it was started in March 2010, I inherited a troubled programme, I was determined I was going to put this right, I get a weekly update.

“We think the remedies are in place, we are now going through the normal trials, can it go after the hill fast enough, does it do these things? It is showing great signs and we will keep on it.

 “I am confident we have turned the corner on this troubled programme.”

Hopefully the British military will soon benefit from the promised advance technology and the taxpayer will finally see some value from the substantial investment into this long running project. 

It is also hoped that newer designs can overcome the vibration and noise issues that risked soldier’s health.

The British military already has a significant problem with noise exposure with compensation claims increasing year on year for the last 5 years.

If you are or have been a serving member of the armed forces and have been unfortunate enough to suffer hearing loss and/or tinnitus, or any other health condition, caused by military service,  please contact our Expert Military Claims Department for an assessment of your case.