It’s clear we didn’t have the full facts in the lead up to decisions about the initial operating capability. It is exceptionally rare for IOC to be withdrawn after being granted, as doing so effectively acknowledges that earlier assurances to ministers and Parliament were unsound. In the case of Ajax, the decision reflects the depth of unresolved safety concerns. The withdrawal of IOC also represents a collapse of confidence in programme governance. As a result, responsibility for Ajax has been removed from the Army, and a new Senior Responsible Officer has been appointed to take control of the programme.