{"id":127064,"date":"2021-05-31T20:22:46","date_gmt":"2021-05-31T20:22:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/precoinnews.com\/?p=127064"},"modified":"2021-05-31T20:22:46","modified_gmt":"2021-05-31T20:22:46","slug":"new-tanks-which-cost-army-staggering-5-5billion-have-trials-halted-after-troops-fall-sick-and-damage-hearing","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/precoinnews.com\/world-news\/new-tanks-which-cost-army-staggering-5-5billion-have-trials-halted-after-troops-fall-sick-and-damage-hearing\/","title":{"rendered":"New tanks which cost army staggering \u00a35.5billion have trials halted after troops fall sick and damage hearing"},"content":{"rendered":"

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NEW tanks which cost the Army \u00a35.5billion were grounded after making troops sick and damaging their hearing.<\/p>\n

Crews suffered nausea, swollen joints and tinnitus from the din and vibrations inside the Ajax armoured vehicles.<\/p>\n

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Trials were halted for the four months to March and test crews are now limited to 105 minutes inside, a source said.<\/p>\n

All soldiers who has been in one must have a hearing test.<\/p>\n

Only 14 of the 589 vehicles have so far been delivered. They are the Aries variant which has no turret.<\/p>\n

Suspension troubles mean turrets on the others cannot fire when the tank is moving. The tanks are being made in Merthyr Tydfil, South Wales.<\/p>\n

The ordered \u2014 the biggest for armoured vehicles in more than 20 years \u2014 was made with General Dynamics.<\/p>\n

An Army source said: \u201cIt\u2019s a complete shambles.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe entire fleet has been out of action because of problems with the suspension and noise issues.<\/p>\n

\u201cSoldiers who ride in the Ajax complain their hearing has been affected. Taxpayers\u2019 money is being wasted on this scheme which isn\u2019t working.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Defence expert Francis Tusa said: \u201cThe noise problem is so bad \u2009.\u2009.\u2009.\u2009 the noise cancelling earphones don\u2019t work.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Ministry of Defence said the tank trials were halted on moving vehicles from November 5 last year to March to protect soldiers.<\/p>\n

They said: \u201cAn investigation, incorporating trials, is being carried out jointly with the manufacturer.\u201d<\/p>\n

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