Exclusive: UK Ministry of Defense Confirms Delivery of 91 New Ajax Reconnaissance Armored Vehicles to British Army.

On March 31, 2025, the United Kingdom’s Ministry of Defence confirmed that, as of March 19, 2025, a total of 91 Ajax tracked reconnaissance armored vehicles have been accepted into service with the British Army. This was officially announced by Lord Coaker, Minister of State for Defense, in response to a parliamentary question submitted by Lord Campbell of Pittenweem in the House of Lords. While this delivery represents a significant milestone, it also highlights the scale of the remaining task, with 498 additional vehicles still awaiting delivery by the manufacturer, General Dynamics UK.
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The full family of Ajax armored vehicles for the British Army includes six mission-specific variants: Ajax (reconnaissance and strike), Ares (armoured personnel carrier), Athena (command and control), Argus (engineer reconnaissance), Apollo (armoured recovery), and Atlas (armoured repair). Built on the ASCOD 2 platform and developed by General Dynamics UK, the Ajax fleet will replace the legacy CVR(T) series and provide enhanced mobility, firepower, and digital battlefield integration for modern operations. (Picture source: General Dynamics UK)

The Ajax program is a central pillar of the British Army’s modernization strategy, conceived to replace the aging fleet of Combat Vehicle Reconnaissance (Tracked), or CVR(T), vehicles, including the iconic FV107 Scimitar. First introduced in the early 1970s, the CVR(T) series has been the workhorse of British reconnaissance forces for decades. However, its light armor, dated analog systems, and limited firepower no longer meet the demands of 21st-century high-intensity operations. The Ajax family introduces a fully digitized, network-enabled reconnaissance platform capable of operating across all modern battlefield domains.

At the heart of the Ajax vehicle is the ASCOD tracked armored chassis, a combat-proven platform originally developed through a joint venture between Spain’s Santa Bárbara Sistemas (now a subsidiary of General Dynamics European Land Systems) and Austria’s Steyr-Daimler-Puch. For the UK program, this chassis has been extensively modified and upgraded by General Dynamics UK, which also leads the vehicle assembly and integration at its production facility in Merthyr Tydfil, Wales. This not only ensures a sovereign industrial base but also sustains thousands of highly skilled jobs across the country.

The Ajax program covers the procurement of 589 vehicles across six mission-specific variants. Among these, the core variant, known as Ajax, is designed for reconnaissance and strike operations. It is equipped with a 40mm Case Telescoped Armament System (CTAS), advanced electro-optical sensors, and a suite of situational awareness systems, allowing it to locate, identify, and engage targets at long range while transmitting intelligence in real time. Supporting this core capability is the Ares variant, which serves as an armored personnel carrier capable of transporting dismounted reconnaissance teams under protection and in close coordination with Ajax units.

Command and control on the move is handled by the Athena variant, which functions as a mobile headquarters, integrating digital communications and battle management systems that enable commanders to direct operations while on the battlefield. Engineer reconnaissance is conducted using the Argus variant, specially configured to assess terrain, identify obstacles, and support mobility operations for armored formations. To ensure operational continuity, the Ajax fleet includes two critical support variants: Apollo, which handles vehicle recovery using heavy-duty cranes and winches, and Atlas, which provides forward repair and maintenance support with onboard workshops and technical systems.

What sets the Ajax vehicles apart from the legacy CVR(T) platforms is not just firepower, but a quantum leap in mobility, survivability, and digital integration. While the CVR(T) Scimitar was armed with a 30mm Rarden cannon, the Ajax’s 40mm CT40 gun offers vastly improved range, accuracy, and lethality. In terms of protection, Ajax introduces modular composite armor and hull designs that provide greater resistance against mines, IEDs, and small arms fire. Its digital backbone allows for seamless integration into modern battlefield networks, ensuring real-time data sharing between units and higher command structures—something that analog CVR(T) systems could never achieve.

Furthermore, Ajax vehicles feature enhanced crew ergonomics, noise insulation, and modern displays, addressing key human factors that were absent in earlier designs. These improvements significantly reduce fatigue during extended missions and improve operational effectiveness. The vehicle’s advanced suspension and engine systems also provide high tactical mobility, even when operating at increased combat weight due to armor and onboard systems.

The road to fielding Ajax has not been smooth. The program has faced intense scrutiny due to years of delays and technical challenges, most notably severe vibration and noise issues identified during early testing. These problems prompted a comprehensive redesign, further trials, and close collaboration between the Ministry of Defence and General Dynamics UK. The successful delivery and acceptance of the first 91 vehicles is the result of these corrective efforts and signals renewed confidence in the program.

Strategically, Ajax is intended to serve as the eyes and ears of the British Army’s Armoured Infantry Brigades, playing a key role in the broader Future Soldier transformation plan. The Household Cavalry Regiment is expected to be among the first units to receive and operate these advanced platforms, reinforcing their role as the Army’s premier reconnaissance formation.

Beyond its operational value, the Ajax program underscores the UK’s commitment to maintaining a capable and resilient defense industrial base. The ongoing production of Ajax at the Merthyr Tydfil facility and the involvement of a UK-wide supply chain contribute directly to national defense readiness and economic security.

With nearly 500 vehicles yet to be delivered, the focus now turns to scaling up production, finalizing system validation, and integrating these platforms into the Army’s force structure. The arrival of Ajax signals a new era in British armored reconnaissance—an era defined by digitalization, lethality, and survivability fit for the challenges of modern warfare.