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Members of Parliament have urged for clarity and rapid resolution regarding the halted Ajax armoured vehicles project to safeguard jobs in south Wales. This pause came after roughly 30 soldiers fell ill due to noise and vibration exposure during a training exercise last year, prompting multiple ongoing investigations into the vehicles. The Ajax vehicles, worth millions, are produced by General Dynamics in Merthyr Tydfil, a facility employing about 700 people.
The UK government has emphasized its commitment to the safety of military personnel, expressing the necessity for investigation teams to have sufficient time to complete their work. The future of the Ajax programme was discussed during a Commons debate on Wednesday. Gerald Jones, Labour MP for Merthyr Tydfil and Aberdare, highlighted the factory’s critical role in providing skilled, enduring employment and supporting the economic regeneration of the valleys, an area historically affected by the decline of coal mining and steel production.
Jones stressed that emerging industries such as General Dynamics are essential for community growth and hope. He questioned government officials about the expected duration of the investigations, warning that prolonged uncertainty could negatively affect worker morale. Meanwhile, Labour MP Ruth Jones, representing Newport West and Islwyn where many constituents work for General Dynamics, called for a prompt establishment of the facts, emphasizing that any delay harms worker confidence and jeopardizes potential exports of the Ajax vehicles to allied nations.
Llanelli MP Nia Griffith added that ministers must promptly analyze the latest noise and vibration test results and make timely decisions on the future of the Ajax programme. She stressed the urgency of the situation, cautioning against any delay that could unnecessarily stall progress if the vehicle’s quality and viability are confirmed. Armed forces minister Al Carns, a former Royal Marine, underlined the paramount importance of service personnel safety and said the investigations should be allowed proper time and space. Carns clarified that ministers are following the evidence closely with no predetermined conclusion and that all options remain open, from fully backing the project to potentially scrapping it. Acknowledging the programme’s significance to south Wales, he noted ongoing communication between UK ministers and the Welsh government, with a further update promised in the coming week
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