British Army to get 589 Ajax - the world's most advanced and powerful armoured vehicles
Britain buys 589 of the powerful and technologically-advanced tank-like vehicles as she strengthens and modernises her military
The British Army is acquiring 589 British-built Ajax armoured fighting vehicles - the most powerful and advanced in the worldFirst look at British Army's new Ajax armoured fighting vehicles - equipped with superior weapons and armour
The British Army's newest tank is officially in service – eight years late after making troops deaf.
The Ajax fighting vehicle is five times heavier and at least 50 times more expensive than the Scimitar recce vehicle it replaces.
But troops insisted its game-changing advantage is gun sight that can spot and track enemy targets from more 5 miles away.
It also has bigger main gun – a 40mm cannon – that can fire on the move at fast moving targets, as well as better armour.
The Ajax fires “telescopic rounds” that do not have shell cases like ordinary bullets which saves on weight and space.
Brirish Army chief General Sir Roly Walker hailed it as the “world’s first truly digital armoured fighting vehicle”.
One soldier boasted Ajax’s sensors “broke Salisbury plain,” the army’s largest training area, because it could spot targets so far in advance.
Major James Faire, 35, who commands the army’s first Ajax squadron in the Household Cavalry Regiment, said there was “no comparison” between Ajax and the old Scimitar family of vehicles it replaces.
But he said Top Brass were still understanding how best to use armoured vehicles in war zones like Ukraine that are “saturated with drones”.
He said: “There will always be a place for armour on the battlefield and I would much rather be in an Ajax than a Scimitar.”
At least two of Britain’s Challenger 2 tanks – which have the heaviest armour – have been hit and destroyed by Russian drones in Ukraine.
The British Army is set to buy 589 Ajax vehicles for £5.5bn – roughly £10m each. More than 165 have so far been delivered.
