9 September 2021
Dunne quizzes Minister on Ajax armoured vehicle procurement

Following the Government statement on Ajax armoured vehicle procurement, Philip Dunne seeks confirmation from the Minister that the British Army, the chiefs of staff and the Ministry of Defence all share the Minister’s determination to deliver these vehicles once the health and safety issues have been addressed.

Philip Dunne (Ludlow) (Con)

The Minister has been very clear with the House today that the contract in place is a firm price contract to deliver the 589 vehicles and the various variants to their specification. Can he assure the House that the rest of the system, for which he is responsible to this House, shares his determination to deliver these vehicles once the health and safety issues have been addressed—that the British Army, the chiefs of staff in their entirety and the Ministry of Defence share his determination?

Jeremy Quin (The Minister for Defence Procurement)

As my right hon. Friend knows very well from his experience, this is an important platform for the future of the British Army, and it really will help us deliver against the threats we are contemplating daily. We need to have it sorted, and we need to have it into service. The commitment that I am showing to work with General Dynamics to resolve these issues, if they can possibly be resolved—and I sincerely hope they can be—is shared throughout the Ministry of Defence and throughout the armed forces. We want this into service, but we want it into service on the basis that it will work, fill our requirements and be the effective tool that our military deserve and need.