By Ellie CookShareNewsweek is a Trust Project memberThe British Army has stopped using its Ajax armored fighting vehicle after soldiers became unwell from its vibrations and noise.
Around 30 soldiers were affected during war games involving the armored vehicle in the south of England over the weekend.
Some of the soldiers vomited, and others experienced weakness in their legs when exiting the Ajax vehicles, Britain's The Times reported.
Luke Pollard, the U.K.'s minister for defense readiness, said at a conference in London on Tuesday that he had summoned the head of the British Army, General Sir Roly Walker, and had ordered a "pause" on all Ajax activity.
...What To Know
A Ministry of Defense spokesperson said the decision to halt Ajax activity for two weeks was made "out of an abundance of caution" while an investigation is underway.
A "small number of soldiers" had reported symptoms related to noise and vibration, and the Army had "immediately stopped the exercise," the spokesperson said.
The military tested all personnel for symptoms and most have now been medically cleared, according to the government. Several are still receiving specialist medical care.
Limited Ajax testing will continue "to ensure that any issues can to identified and resolved," the government said. All vehicles are currently undergoing "rigorous inspection."
Problems with noise and vibration have plagued Ajax development for years, and the armored fighting vehicle has been repeatedly delayed.
The U.K. officially rolled out the armored vehicle earlier in November, when Pollard insisted it was "safe, effective and truly cutting-edge."
This is a breaking story. More to follow.
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