General Dynamics Land Systems–UK (GDLS-UK) and Lockheed Martin UK have provided further details on the next-generation AJAX Infantry Fighting Vehicle following its unveiling at DSEI 2025.
The new platform builds on the existing Ajax family in British Army service but adds a significant leap in lethality, survivability and digital integration.
A central feature is its uncrewed turret, designed and manufactured at Lockheed Martin’s Ampthill facility in Bedfordshire, which brings together lessons from Ajax and the Warrior Capability Sustainment Programme. The turret is modular, exportable, and digitally integrated to support NATO-first operations.
Scott Milne, Vice President and General Manager at GDLS-UK, said: “AJAX IFV represents the convergence of sovereign innovation, strategic foresight, and industrial strength. It’s not just a platform — it’s a product of the UK’s Defence Industrial Strategy and a direct response to the Strategic Defence Review’s call for adaptable, export-ready capability. Designed, built and supported in Britain, AJAX IFV will contribute to the British Army’s 10x lethality through advanced digital integration and modularity, enabling NATO-first operations with unmatched interoperability.”
Milne highlighted the vehicle’s industrial footprint in South Wales, stressing that the programme “supports thousands of high value jobs, continues to revitalise UK and regional industry, and strengthens the UK’s position as a trusted partner in global security.”
Paul Livingston CBE, Chief Executive of Lockheed Martin UK & NATO, added: “Today’s unveiling is a powerful demonstration of how UK industry is working together to innovate and deliver the capabilities our Army needs for the future fight. Survivability, lethality, adaptability, and exportability are not abstract ideals; they are core requirements for our soldiers, and they are built into the very design of this system.”
The companies underscored the importance of interoperability, noting that shared platforms simplify training, logistics and sustainment across NATO and EU battlegroups. Export prospects are also being pursued, with GDLS-UK pointing to over £10 billion in potential markets in Eastern Europe and the Middle East.
GDLS-UK said the AJAX IFV programme is underpinned by a £120 million investment in sovereign manufacturing capacity and supports over 4,100 jobs across a supply chain of 230 companies, 20% of which are SMEs.
Would this be a suitable replacement for warrior ?
It appears to be the only option as alternatives have full order books. I would be keen to see this variant in production ASAP, and an Ares + benefiting from the extra length and replacing Bulldog.
Well the only bad thing I’ve seen mentioned so far is no stowage space for kit. No mention of a BV though either (don’t think current Ajax has tone either).
The BV is the most important equipment on any British vehicle, without it we might as well scrap the whole program.
I think Ajax is a case of fitted for but not with. Archer doesn’t have one, neither do the first batch of Boxer or the new trucks so I’m told.
All AJAX variants have a BV.
I was told they weren’t issued with them. Happy to be corrected 🙂
And it has massive great gun. All the talk of 10x lethality due to networking.. it’s got serious levels of protection against 30mm APFSDS at 1500meters and gun that will penetrate around 150mm of sloped armour at 1500 meters.. which means it’s got the advantage against anything below an MBT
But it all depends on cost and time to deployment.
It been reported that the turret currently holds 45 rounds of 40mm, which they hope to increase to 75. Considering warrior carries 200 30mm rounds, is 75 enough?
Where was that reported?
MOD should definitely consider this as a Warrior replacement.
We have a production line up and running, and other variants have been extensively tested.
Is this a mock up?
Although an IFV is needed, I’d argue that a large Patria CAVS order to supplement Boxer would have far greater impact across the Army.
Always the sexy, mega expensive gucci kit that gets the crowds and the headlines eh.
Isn’t the Patria wheeled , as per the Boxer? Would you be happy with a completely wheeled solution- or is it that you feel as the Boxer is wheeled , there’s really not much point in a tracked IFV?
BTW -along these lines – whatever happened to the ‘tracked’ Boxer offering (I think it was a modular approach?). Was that a serious option that is still something being developed in earnest, or was that just an idea being touted? If that’s a viable option would that be a better ‘fit’?
Hi Grizz.
No, we certainly need a tracked IFV.
Before the Strike debacle, of which Boxer is a part, A2020 was quite clear in that we’d have a 3 Brigade Armoured Division, with 3 new programs to modernise it.
Challenger 3.
Armoured Cavalry, so Ajax.
Armoured Infantry, so WCSP.
That still left the problem of those 432s running about that things like FRES UV didn’t replace.
Patria is very much needed, both to replace supporting vehicles like 432 in 3 Division and as a supplement for the all wheeled Brigades in 1 Division.
And Boxer for all roles, at it’s price, is insanity.
I agree,
Go on then, argue that a tracked IFV to replace Warrior is down the priority list in favor of a 6 wheeled truck.
Is the gun effective against drones i.e a targeting system beyond manual ?
On AJAX there isAVT, automatic video tracking, if this is ported across would useful for UAV’s. It’s not been detailed what sighting systems are fitted to the IFV.
Haven’t I seen Irony Fist on Ajax?
Now this looks like a proper replacement for Warrior. A solid anti-armour capability with an integrated ATGM by the looks of it, which is definitely needed to make up for the lower number of Challenger 3’s we’re getting.