UK plans to adopt “phased approach to restarting” British Army Ajax programme
Ajax being tested at the Armoured Trials and Development Unit in 2024. (Photo: UK MoD/Crown Copyright)
The introduction of Ajax vehicles into British Army service was stopped after health issues during an exercise. However, an investigation reported “no single causal mechanism of the symptoms reported by our soldiers but rather a combination of multiple factors”.
The UK government is to restart the acceptance of Ajax tracked armoured vehicles from General Dynamics UK (GD UK) following an investigation into issues raised on Exercise Titan Storm in November 2025.
An outline of the results of an Army Safety Investigation Team (ASIT) investigation was tabled in the UK Parliament through a Written Ministerial Statement (WMS) by Minister for Defence Readiness and Industry Luke Pollard on 28 April.
The investigation into symptoms reported by soldiers in Ajax vehicles during the exercise said there was “no single causal mechanism of the symptoms reported by our soldiers but rather a combination
Our news & analysis is now part of Defence Insight®
A Basic-level or higher Defence Insight subscription is now required to view this content.
More from Land Warfare
-
SOF Week 2026: The Gear Keeping Warfighters Ready in Extreme Climates (Video)
At SOF Week 2026, Pro-Shot Defense discusses the maintenance technologies and weapon support tools designed to keep special operations forces mission ready in the world’s harshest environments.
-
Sweden looks to commercial world to meet military UGV needs
Stockholm is exploring commercial avenues to provide a small uncrewed ground vehicle capable of carrying 500kg with a focus on challenging terrains and C2 systems.
-
Are counter-drone systems for dismounted troops emerging as the next procurement battle?
As uncrewed aerial systems and loitering munitions evolve, it is increasingly necessary for counter-uncrewed solutions to keep pace in order to protect not only military facilities and platforms but also dismounted troops.
-
NATO’s Crystal Arrow factors in Ukrainian UGV lessons as European interest grows
One goal of NATO’s Exercise Crystal Arrow was to identify the potential uses of uncrewed ground vehicles – as seen on the Ukrainian battlefield – and put platforms into the hands of users.
-
SOF Week 2026: Galvion unveils Cortex Evo integrated combat helmet
Galvion has introduced its Cortex Evo integrated head system, combining ballistic protection, power, data and processing capabilities within a single combat helmet architecture.
