Soldiers suffer hearing loss and damage after Ajax trials

Home » News & Knowledge » Over 300 soldiers suffer hearing loss and damaging effects of vibrations after Ajax trial injuries

The Army’s £5.5 billion investment into the Ajax armoured fighting vehicle programme 2010 has been delayed due to criticism from the National Audit Office, Defence select committee, and Public Accounts committee.

The delay included problems with the programme’s management as well as the development of excessive vibration and noise, which raises concerns regarding the safety of soldiers driving the vehicles.

The Ministry of Defence (MOD) has proposed a new in-service date of 2025 and full operating capability expected between late 2028 and 2029.

Soldiers suffer hearing loss

What is Ajax?

The MoD purchased 589 vehicles in 2014, including the Ajax armoured fighting vehicle program, to replace the 40-year-old fleet of tracked reconnaissance vehicles and modernize the Army’s warfighting division.

Six vehicle variations of the Ajax include:

Reconnaissance (Ajax)
Personnel carrier (Ares)
Command and control (Athena)
Engineer reconnaissance (Argus)
Recovery and repair vehicles (Atlas and Apollo).

The Army says it is the first fully digitalised platform, utilizing advanced communications technologies to gather and share data with other units through the use of innovative sensors.

The digitally networked combination includes Boxer infantry vehicles, Challenger 3 tanks, AH64E Apache helicopters, long-range precision munitions, and uncrewed aerial assets.

Delays to the programme

When the programme began in 2010 the initial expectation was for it to enter service around 2017. This had shifted to 2020 when the manufacturing contract was awarded in 2014.

The emergence of noise and vibration issues meant that for 18 months, from September 2021 until March 2023, the MoD did not commit to an in-service date for Ajax.

The Commons Defence Committee deemed the Army’s capacity ‘deplorable’ in 2021, while the Public Accounts Committee declared the program’s ineffective management was ‘flawed from the outset’ in 2022, and the National Assembly warned of significant challenges.

Case study

Many soldiers experienced hearing impairments such as noise-induced hearing or tinnitus (or both) as a result of spending up to eight hours a day, five days a week, inside the tanks during these trials.

As a direct result of trailing these Ajax tanks, approximately 17 soldiers are now undergoing specialised treatment for hearing loss.

While a small amount will be able to return to duty. 11 of them suffer from hearing loss so severe that it hinders their ability to carry out their fundamental military responsibilities.

An additional 310 army soldiers have been identified by the army as potentially impacted by these vibration and noise problems. There are serious concerns that these soldiers might have acquired illnesses like industrial deafness, Tinnitus and Vibration White Finger Syndrome (VWF).

While the specifics of compensation are not detailed, it is implied that the MoD is taking steps to address the health concerns of these soldiers.

Health concerns raised and injuries caused

The following are the health issues raised, and injuries sustained:

Hearing loss: Soldiers experienced noise-induced hearing damage and tinnitus.
Other injuries: Excessive vibration led to nausea and swollen joints.
Specifics: Some soldiers were medically discharged from the armed forces and unable to return to duty due to the severity of their injuries.

The health concerns and injuries were caused by:

Excessive noise and vibration: The primary issue was the elevated levels of noise and vibration experienced during trials.
Design flaws: Concerns were raised about the vehicle’s design, including the weight and suspension.
Substandard manufacturing: There were reports of inconsistent lengths of sections, hulls not being parallel, and substandard welding.

Heath effects of Whole-Body Vibration (WBV)

Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) can also be brought on by whole-body vibration (WBV) from operating heavy machinery. The most prevalent health issues linked to MSDs include fatigue, digestive issues, and joint, shoulder, and neck pain.

WBV, a common issue for drivers in various industries, happens when vibrations are sent through the body, especially the feet or seat, while operating on rough terrain.

We go into more detail here about Vibration White Finger in relation to the trial.

Other MSD health problems:

Numbness and tingling in the hands, feet, or other parts of the body.
Problems with balance and coordination.
Dizziness and headaches.
General fatigue and digestive issues.
Motion sickness.
Possible cardiovascular disease.

Factors influencing WBV risks:

Type of vehicle: Vehicles designed for rough terrain or those with high vibration levels (like tanks) pose a greater risk.
Road conditions: Driving on rough or uneven surfaces significantly increases WBV exposure.
Driving techniques: Poor driving techniques, such as driving too fast on uneven surfaces, can exacerbate WBV exposure.
Vehicle maintenance: Poorly maintained vehicles with worn suspension or tires can contribute to higher vibration levels.

Solutions and progress

After the programme’s in-service date not being confirmed for 18 months due to noise and vibration issues, the MoD has proposed a new in-service date of June 2025 and full operating capability expected between October 2028 and September 2029. Eight years later than originally planned.

After investigating the health issues, their solutions include redesigning seat mountings, cushions, and remounting hand controls, to prevent excessive vibration.

It has also been determined that there is now a ‘workable solution’ to the vibration and noise issues, implementing noise-cancelling headphones for communication.

This will provide dual-layer hearing protection for soldiers operating the vehicles.

Current status

According to Forces News, the noise and vibration issues have been resolved, and Ajax is now prepared for duty.

Deliveries commenced: In January 2025, deliveries of Ajax vehicles commenced to three British Army units.
Ministry of Defence confirms deliveries: The Ministry of Defence has confirmed that 91 Ajax armoured vehicles have been accepted into service as of March 2025, with a further 498 still to be delivered.
‘Seismic leap forward’: A defence minister stated that the successful conclusion of user-validation trials represented a ‘seismic leap forward’.
Problems rectified: Forces News reports that the problems surrounding vibration and noise have now been rectified.
UK Defence Journal reports that the British Army is set to receive over 180 Ajax by the end of 2025.

It is still thought that this trial has affected additional people. If you have experienced a military hearing loss or vibration injury, you may be able to pursue a personal injury claim for damages.

Frequently asked questions

What is Noise Induced Hearing Loss (NIHL)?

Noise-Induced Hearing Loss is more commonly referred to as NIHL. It happens when the inner ear structure is damaged by excessive noise and can lead to significant hearing loss, which makes it difficult to hear people talking in loud environments.

It is one of the most common health problems and can be difficult to detect, as the effects build up gradually over time. Exposure to high noise levels can cause permanent hearing damage, often without the sufferer being aware of it until it is too late. It may lead to tinnitus or deafness.

Throughout all industry, industrial hearing loss remains the occupational disease with the highest number of civil claims, accounting for about 75% of all occupational disease claims. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) in the UK estimates that more than 2 million people in Great Britain are exposed to unacceptable levels of noise at work.

What is Tinnitus?

Tinnitus is the name for hearing noises that do not come from an outside source. It is not usually a sign of anything serious and may get better by itself. However, when caused by excessive noise at work, it may lead to further health issues.

People with tinnitus tend to experience a buzzing or ringing in their ears which is distracting, causes sleep problems and can lead to mental health issues. Tinnitus can sound like ringing, buzzing, whooshing, humming, hissing, throbbing, music or singing. You may hear these sounds in 1 or both ears. You may also or alternatively hear the noise in your head instead. The noises may come and go, or you might hear them all the time.

There are only a small selection of treatments for tinnitus which are recommended by the NHS. These include:

Tinnitus counselling to help you learn about tinnitus and to help you to find ways of coping with it that work for you.
Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) – to change the way you think about your tinnitus and reduce anxiety caused by the tinnitus.
Tinnitus retraining therapy – this works by using sound therapy to retrain your brain to tune out and be less aware of the tinnitus.

Tinnitus retraining therapy may be available on the NHS for people with severe or persistent tinnitus. It is unclear if tinnitus retraining therapy works for everyone.

It is widely available privately. Specialist hearing aids may also be recommended, alongside other equipment to mask symptoms. Unfortunately, there are no current cures for tinnitus, but research is ongoing.

The experts in military personal Injury claims

At Oakwood Solicitors Ltd, we aim to seek justice for Military Personnel who have been injured during their time in service. We are enthusiastic about securing compensation for service members and to ease the financial burden they may face in civilian life.

We can help Armed Forces personnel claim compensation, whether their injury was caused by negligence, or simply as a result of their time in service with no one to blame.

We often assist in cases where injuries have been sustained during training exercises, accidents involving military vehicles, or caused by defective equipment. We also specialise in claims involving noise-induced hearing loss, non-freezing cold injuries, and psychiatric injuries such as PTSD.

Our dedicated team of solicitors, who specialise in Military Claims can assist you with the best way of seeking compensation. Depending on the injury caused and when it was sustained, there are different routes we can take to ensure a successful outcome.

Over 300 soldiers suffer hearing loss and damaging effects of vibrations after Ajax trial injuries