Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the Written Statement of 26 November 2025 on Ajax Programme Update, HCWS 1099, on what evidential basis his Department declared Initial Operating Capability for the Ajax programme in November 2025.

I announced Initial Operating Capability (IOC) for the Armoured Cavalry Programme (commonly known as Ajax) on 5 November 2025.

As safety is the top priority for the Ministerial Team, prior to Ajax IOC being announced, the Minister for Defence Readiness and Industry I asked for and was given assurances in writing by senior Ministry of Defence personnel that the system was safe.