General Dynamics UK (GDUK) and Lockheed Martin UK (LMUK) jointly launched their concept for a next-generation Ajax infantry fighting vehicle (IFV) at the DSEI 2025 defence exhibition in London on 9 September.
Primarily focused on a potential future British Army IFV requirement, the Ajax IFV takes GDUK’s proven tracked Ajax Common Base Platform (CBP) and mounts on it a modified version of the unmanned turret developed by LMUK for the British Army’s Warrior Capability Sustainment Programme (WCSP) featuring the 40 mm Case Telescoped Armament System (CTAS, also known as the CT40). WCSP was ultimately cancelled in 2021.
With the unmanned turret taking no space in the vehicle hull, the Ajax IFV can accommodate eight soldiers and their equipment behind the driver and commander, although there is also provision for the turret to be optionally manned, depending on customer requirements, which would reduce the number of dismounts that could be carried.
The turret, which also features a 7.62 mm coaxial chain gun, currently accommodates around 45 CT40 rounds, although a GDUK spokesman at DSEI 2025 told DSEI that the ultimate aim would be to increase this magazine, which can be reloaded under armour from above the commander’s station, to around 80 rounds ready to fire.
In its literature GDUK describes the Ajax IFV as “the missing link in the UK’s armoured fleet and a transformational capability for export markets”. The vehicle would certainly offer logistical advantages in terms of commonality with the British Army’s current Ajax family of armoured vehicles, of which 589 vehicles have been ordered in six variants.
However, any prospect of the vehicle competing for an actual requirement will have to wait for what comes out of the UK ongoing Strategic Defence Review.
From LMUK’s perspective, the Ajax IFV’s turret offers UK-sovereign intellectual property that has been built on a significant amount of investment from the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) under WCSP. Mark Langley, head of complex systems at LMUK, noted to ESD at DSEI 2025 that the trials work on the CT40-armed turret is “95% done”. The UK MoD is additionally understood to be in possession of hundreds of CT40 cannons as a result of the WCSP cancellation.
Alex King, LMUK’s business development lead for complex systems, said that the presentation of the Ajax IFV “is us starting a discussion” and a “statement of intent”.
Noting that the company is “preparing for a competition” with regard to a future British Army IFV requirement, King told ESD, “We’re excited to show it, but we’re now waiting for a requirement.”
