British Army Advances Ajax Reconnaissance Vehicle Deployment with Crew Training.

The British Army’s Royal Armored Corps completed the latest Ajax Armored vehicle gunnery phase at the Lulworth Ranges in Dorset. The live fire training marks a key step toward fielding the next generation of reconnaissance and Armored warfare platforms.

The British Army has announced that Troop Leaders and Crew Commanders from the Royal Armored Corps (RAC) recently completed an advanced gunnery phase on the new Ajax reconnaissance tracked armored vehicle at the Lulworth Ranges in Dorset, UK. Shared via the British Army Royal Armoured Corps’ official X account on November 5, 2025, the training included live-fire exercises to evaluate the vehicle’s integrated digital targeting systems and crew proficiency. Officials described the session as an essential milestone in the Army’s ongoing effort to modernise its Armored reconnaissance capabilities.
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British Army crew members conduct live-fire gunnery training aboard the Ajax reconnaissance vehicle at Lulworth Ranges, showcasing the vehicle’s advanced CT40 cannon and fully digitized fire control systems during troop leader certification drills, November 2025. (Picture source: Royal armoured Corps X account)

The exercise saw small troop elements of the British Army's Armored Cavalry Regiment operate the new Ajax reconnaissance tracked armored vehicle in its full gunnery role as crew commanders and troop leaders, underscoring the vehicle’s maturation from acquisition into the operational training phase. Sources within the RAC confirm that the phase included target engagement drills, rapid locator relocation under simulated threat, and crew coordination in a digitized networked environment. Imagery released by the Corps shows the CT40 40 mm cannon engaging static and moving targets, while the driver and commander work from fully closed hatch situational awareness systems.

For the RAC (Royal Armored Corps), whose units remain at the heart of the British Army’s mounted close combat and reconnaissance capability, this gunnery event is more than routine. The Corps’ doctrine emphasizes “closing with and destroying the enemy.” By fielding the Ajax, developed by General Dynamics UK, the British Army aims to deliver a platform that combines mobility, protection, lethality, and digital connectivity.

The successful gunnery phase indicates that the Ajax is progressing beyond early trials into regiment-level training. Publications earlier in 2025 had flagged the vehicle’s previous technical and schedule challenges: vibration, gun-on-the-move accuracy, and rollout delays. That this training is now happening with troops performing leadership roles signals a shift towards operational readiness.

For the British Army Royal Armored Corps' cavalry regiments, integrating Ajax involves more than just swapping vehicles. Troop leaders and crew commanders must master new fire-control systems, data-fusion networks, multi-layered threat awareness, and improved mobility regimes. The gunnery phase’s emphasis on closed-hatch operations and high-tempo firing suggests a focus on integrating reconnaissance and strike functions, a key part of future Armored cavalry doctrine.

The training appears to underscore three major technical dimensions: firepower, survivability, and mobility, and digitized networked operations. The CT40 40 mm cannon is stabilized, allowing accurate fire on the move, and is well-suited to engaging a variety of targets, from light armour to fortified positions. The Ajax family incorporates modular armor, a hydro pneumatic suspension system, and digitized situational awareness sensors. Meanwhile, training of troop leaders emphasizes information-driven maneuver, rapid target acquisition, data links to higher echelons, and simultaneous reconnaissance-strike loops.

During the Lulworth phase, commanders reportedly stressed “shoot and scoot” drills, horizon-based engagement of fleeting targets, and integration of thermal and IR sensors to support long-range fire engagements. Insiders say the training also tested troop leader decision timing, assessing how quickly the vehicle can close, find the target, engage, and relocate under simulated counter-battery or UAV threats.

What is the Ajax Reconnaissance Tracked Armored Vehicle?

The Ajax is a new generation of reconnaissance tracked armored vehicle designed to serve as the backbone of the British Army’s future reconnaissance and information-led combat operations. At its core, Ajax is not simply a vehicle but a family of six distinct variants built around a common chassis and digital architecture. These include the Ajax reconnaissance vehicle, Ares troop carrier, Athena command post, Argus engineer reconnaissance, Apollo repair, and Atlas recovery.

The lead variant, Ajax itself, is built for mounted reconnaissance, fire support, and battlespace awareness. It features the advanced CT40 Case Telescoped Armament System, developed in partnership with CTA International, which offers greater lethality than traditional 30 mm turrets. Combined with next-generation sensors, an integrated electronic architecture, and a high degree of digital networking, Ajax is intended to provide real-time data fusion and sensor-to-shooter connectivity at the tactical edge.

Ajax is replacing two key legacy platforms: the CVR(T) Scimitar light reconnaissance vehicle and elements of the Warrior tracked fleet. The CVR(T), which first entered service in the 1970s, has become obsolete in terms of protection, lethality, and communications. While Warrior has served as the Army’s core infantry fighting vehicle, it is now being phased out without a direct upgrade. Ajax, in part, fills the vacuum left by both platforms by offering a digitally connected, highly mobile, and better-protected alternative tailored for the modern battlespace.

The intent behind the Ajax program is to enable Armored cavalry units to gather, process, and act on battlefield intelligence faster than the adversary. In future operations, Ajax will act as the eyes and ears of the Army’s Armored brigades, supporting strike formations and enabling dispersed, high-tempo manoeuvre. It is not a frontline assault vehicle like a main battle tank, but rather a lethal scout and information hub that can engage and disengage rapidly while operating in a contested electronic and kinetic environment.

The British Army plans to field 589 Ajax family vehicles. While initial deliveries were marred by technical setbacks, the platform has now reached a stage of progressive field acceptance and tactical validation through exercises such as the one conducted at Lulworth.

Strategic Context and Next Steps

The British Army plans to field some 589 Ajax vehicles across six variants: reconnaissance (Ajax), APC (Ares), command (Athena), engineer recce (Argus), repair (Apollo), and recovery (Atlas). The aim is for selected cavalry regiments to transition first, with full capability achieved between 2028 and 2029. Conducting this gunnery phase now signals the RAC's confidence in the platform and accelerates its training cycle.

The timing is notable. With potential heavy armor and reconnaissance conflicts looming in peer and near-peer scenarios, the UK is placing emphasis on high-mobility Armored cavalry capable of rapid target acquisition, deep reconnaissance, and strikes. Ajax’s capabilities dovetail with the UK’s “Future Soldier” reforms, which aim to create more agile, networked, and lethal formations.

Despite the positive signals, analysts caution that several areas will need ongoing monitoring. First, the evolving drone threat and top-down lethality remain a significant concern for any Armored system. Whether crews are trained sufficiently to counter these remains open. Second, the British Army must navigate the logistical and human resource challenge of transitioning entire units to the Ajax family. Finally, the digitised nature of Ajax raises critical issues around cyber resilience, software sustainment, and maintenance throughput.

As Ajax vehicles integrate into Armored brigades alongside main battle tanks, their success will hinge on the effectiveness of combined arms. The RAC’s announcement of the Troop Leaders and Crew Commanders Gunnery Phase on Ajax at Lulworth marks a key inflection point in the British Army’s Armored cavalry transformation. More than mere training, this event reflects the institution's commitment to the new platform and signals to allies and potential adversaries alike that Britain is advancing its reconnaissance-strike capabilities.

For Army Recognition readers, the substantive shift is clear: Tyres and tracks are not enough. What matters now is fire control loops, sensor fusion, and maneuver that sees the cavalry closing, shooting, and moving with speed and precision.

The coming months will be critical. Observers will watch for further training phases, the rollout of Ajax variants across regiments, and how these vehicles perform in combined arms exercises. For now, the cavalry has drawn its line in the sand. It is firing from it.

Written by Alain Servaes – Chief Editor, Army Recognition Group
Alain Servaes is a former infantry non-commissioned officer and the founder of Army Recognition. With over 20 years in defense journalism, he provides expert analysis on military equipment, NATO operations, and the global defense industry.