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Ajax Armoured Fighting Vehicle

Ajax Armoured Fighting Vehicle

Manufacturer: General Dynamics UK
Category: Tanks & Armored Vehicles
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Main Gun Caliber 40 mm CTAS (Cased Telescoped)
Engine Power 800 bhp / 600 kW
Maximum Speed ~70 km/h (road)
Armor Type Modular composite armour

Full Specifications

1. General Information

Vehicle Name	Ajax Armored Fighting Vehicle
Type / Role	Medium-weight AFV / Reconnaissance & Strike
Manufacturer	General Dynamics UK
Country of Origin	United Kingdom
In Service	Yes — Initial Operating Capability 2025
Year Introduced	First deliveries 2019, IOC 2025
Unit Cost	~£10 million per vehicle
Crew	3 (Driver, Commander, Gunner)

2. Dimensions & Weight

Length (Gun Forward)	7.62 m
Width	3.35 m
Height	3.00 m
Weight	38 tonnes baseline; growth to 42 tonnes

3. Performance

Engine Type	MTU Friedrichshafen V8 Diesel
Transmission	RENK 6-speed automatic HSWL 256B
Maximum Speed (Road)	70 km/h
Operational Range	~500 km
Suspension Type	Torsion bar

4. Armament

Main Gun	40 mm CTAS (Cased Telescoped)
Secondary Armament	7.62 mm L94A1 coaxial chain gun

5. Protection & Armor

Armor Type

Modular composite armor

6. Mobility & Capability

7. Sensors & Electronics

8. Operational Info

Our Rating

The overall rating is based on review by our experts

Maintenance Efficiency 8 / 10
Technology 8 / 10
Performance 8 / 10
Reliability & Maintenance 8 / 10

PROS

High mobility and reasonable road speed for a tracked medium AFV.
Powerful 40 mm CTAS main gun with effective engagement range over 4 km.
Fully digital, networked architecture supporting ISTAR, data fusion and modern battlefield connectivity.
Modular design with multiple variants (reconnaissance, command, recovery, repair, engineering) enhances logistic flexibility.
Potential for future upgrades — armour, weapons, electronics — thanks to open architecture and modular platform.

CONS

Crew protection and comfort may be challenged by heavy turret and weight growth under full armour upgrades.
As a medium-weight platform, it lacks the heavy armour and protection of a main battle tank.
Limited infantry‑transport capacity in core Ajax variant (not a dedicated IFV).
Reliant on high-tech electronics — potentially vulnerable to electronic warfare or system failures.
Operational cost and maintenance burdens are likely higher than older, simpler tracked reconnaissance vehicles.

Ajax Armored Fighting Vehicle

The Ajax Armored Fighting Vehicle (AFV) represents a transformative step forward for modern land warfare — fusing firepower, digital networking and all‑terrain mobility into a versatile, medium‑weight armoured platform.

Manufactured by General Dynamics UK in Merthyr Tydfil, Wales, Ajax originates from the ASCOD 2 chassis family and was developed to meet the evolving needs of the British Army for reconnaissance, strike and multi‑role operations.

Primarily intended for forward recce and strike, the Ajax in its core configuration carries a 40 mm CTAS (Cased Telescoped Armament System) cannon capable of engaging targets beyond 4 km, complemented by a 7.62 mm coaxial chain gun.

For enhanced flexibility, some versions can be fitted with remote‑weapon‑stations mounting machine guns or even anti‑tank missiles for heavier threats.

Ajax’s design reflects modern digital warfare: a 20 Gbit/s open‑architecture Ethernet backbone supports storage and processing of multi‑terabyte sensor data, and integrates with the army’s secure communications network.

An auxiliary silent power generator allows sensors and comms to remain operational even when the engine is off — ideal for surveillance or reconnaissance in static positions.

Powered by an 800 bhp MTU V8 diesel engine with RENK 6‑speed automatic transmission, Ajax delivers a top road speed of around 70 km/h and a tactical operational range of roughly 500 km — giving it mobility competitive with many similar medium‑weight AFVs.

Its torsion‑bar suspension and tracked chassis make it capable of crossing rough terrain, enabling use in varied climates and environments.

Operationally, Ajax is being issued across the British Army’s Armoured Brigade Combat Teams and Deep Recce Strike brigades, where its mix of reconnaissance, situational awareness, and strike capability positions it as a backbone of future armoured manoeuvre and ISTAR (Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition, Reconnaissance) operations.

Reviews

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Maintenance Efficiency:

8
Technology:

8
Performance:

8
Reliability & Maintenance:

8
Average Rating 6 / 10 based on your selection

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