Battle Lines Why can't Britain build a decent tank?
11 snips
Dec 5, 2025 
Dominic Nicholls, a Defence editor with insights from his military background, and Ben Barry, a former Armoured Infantry Brigade Commander, unpack the scandal surrounding the Ajax armoured vehicle. They dive into the shocking illness of soldiers due to unresolved noise and vibration issues, procurement missteps, and the contentious response from General Dynamics. The discussion highlights the importance of manned reconnaissance and critiques outdated procurement practices, revealing deep concerns about Britain’s military readiness and future capabilities.
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Ambitious Design Became Procurement Nightmare
- Ajax was intended as a heavily armoured reconnaissance vehicle but has become a long-running, costly failure.
- The programme shows how shifting requirements and rushed procurement create capability gaps.
Whistleblower And Facebook Row Escalated Crisis
- Dominic relayed a whistleblower claim and a General Dynamics employee's hostile Facebook post blaming soldiers.
- The public row amplified scrutiny and led to parliamentary inquiries.
Challenger 2 Delay Parallels Ajax Birth
- Dominic Nicholls recounted being assigned to Challenger 2 plans that were delayed, leaving units at the back of the queue.
- He compared Ajax's troubled birth to that earlier delayed tank programme.
