Could the Ajax IFV solve the UK’s Warrior capability gap?
With the UK facing an imminent capability gap after the retirement of its Warrior infantry fighting vehicles (IFVs), the Ajax IFV appears to be in a prime position to fill that gap.
Leonardo’s AW149 is the sole helicopter platform in the running for the NMH contract. (Photo: Wikimedia Commons)
With the UK’s Strategic Defence Review (SDR) now published and its commitment to increase defence spend to an historic 2.5% of GDP by 2027 announced, backdropped by the Ukraine war, the landscape ahead of this year’s DSEI exhibition has reached a pivotal juncture.
Given the theme of ‘Preparing the Future Force’, DSEI 2025 is set to be bigger and broader than previous years. Eighteen of the top 20 Western defence companies will be hosted, with around 40 countries in attendance and Ukraine given a more senior representation reflecting the concentrated focus on defence in the UK and across Europe.
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With the UK facing an imminent capability gap after the retirement of its Warrior infantry fighting vehicles (IFVs), the Ajax IFV appears to be in a prime position to fill that gap.
The Polaris Government and Defense’s Military RZR (MRZR) Alpha 1KW was displayed at the Modern Day Marine exposition in the US earlier this year and with the Alakran mobile mortar weapon system at DSEI. The company outlined recent firing trials with the Alakran mobile mortar weapon system (MMWS) which was weeks after the company announced a major NATO deal.
Thales launched Storm-H in 2012 as an EW system equipping individual dismounted troops, and a decade later revealed details to develop the improved and more powerful Storm 2.
MARSS’ NiDAR system has been deployed using sensors from static platforms to provide detection and protection for static sights, such as critical infrastructure, ports and military bases.
The UK’s Land Mobility Programme (LMP) seems set to be delayed once again but industry is jockeying for position to partner in what would be one of the biggest ever buys for the British Army.
Aiming to field a more integrated, agile force, the military leader said in a keynote speech that focus on these core areas would be increased to help the RAF deter and meet challenges in the new threat landscape.