Ajax's reported vibration, crew-health, and build-quality problems extend the procurement critique to British armoured vehicles. The FV432, an APC in service since 1963, is placed within a sequence of intended replacements involving Warrior, CVR(T), and Ajax. That sequence is the lecture's account of successive replacement ambitions, with the old vehicle continuing in updated Bulldog form. A peak of about 2,500 FV432s is quoted, and the vehicle is still considered useful despite its age. Think Defence's work on British vehicle programmes is recommended as well informed, with explicit disagreement on some conclusions. Comparable long-running procurement problems are identified across several countries.
Notable Point · 1:13:06-1:16:12
Ajax and FV432 expose the vehicle-replacement cycle
Reported Ajax problems accompany an account of successive FV432 replacement plans, while the old vehicle remains in service and is still considered useful.