British Army Announces Initial Operating Capability For AJAX Armored Fighting Vehicles
The British Army has announced initial operating capability for its AJAX family of armored fighting vehicles, marking the point where a unit can now deploy for operations with the new vehicles.
According to the Ministry of Defence, AJAX is the first new armored fighting vehicle to enter service with the British Army in nearly 30 years. The AJAX family will replace the Combat Vehicle Reconnaissance (Tracked) family of light armored vehicles, which has already been largely phased out of British Army service.
Mechanically derived from the Spanish ASCOD 2 armored fighting vehicle, AJAX is significantly larger and heavier than the CVR(T) family, trading speed and agility for advanced reconnaissance sensors that can share information faster through integrated networking.
“Driving AJAX is a really noticeable step change from the previous generation of AFVs. Whilst the pure function remains the same, the control mechanism, the responsiveness of the vehicle and the situational awareness granted to a Driver is unlike anything I have driven before,” said Captain John Hutton of the Household Cavalry Regiment tasked with testing the vehicles’ initial operational capabilities. “This gives the Driver unparalleled awareness of their surroundings and far greater ease in controlling the vehicle across ground; 360 vision, previously the monopoly of the Commander in the turret, is now granted to all crew positions.”
Initial operating capability for the AJAX comes five years after the original target date of 2020, with development facing multiple issues ranging from delays caused by the COVID-19 pandemic to noise and vibration issues on prototype vehicles that caused permanent injuries to soldiers testing them, with some injuries requiring the soldiers to be placed on restricted duties or leaving the army altogether.
The Ministry of Defence says that over the course of its testing, the AJAX fleet to date has fired over 20,000 rounds from its 40mm cannon and driven more than 42,000 kilometres in simulated battlefield missions across both hot and cold climates.
The UK MoD has also begun to discuss the possibility of export and foreign sales of Ajax. “Defence is an engine for growth. AJAX is contributing not only to the economy in South Wales but also UK-wide in the supply chain. We’re exploring the potential to export AJAX”, said Minister for Defence Readiness and Industry, Luke Pollard MP. “AJAX boasts world-class capabilities and it is a hugely important milestone that the UK-wide suppliers have delivered a vehicle that is safe, effective and truly cutting-edge which will be recognised by allies and adversaries alike.”