British Army Plans All-Tracked 3rd Division with Challenger 3 tanks and Ajax tracked combat vehicles.

According to information published by defense analyst Nicholas Drummond on June 30, 2025, the British Army is reportedly implementing a strategic reorganization of its core combat forces, aimed at significantly enhancing battlefield survivability, lethality, and operational flexibility. Under this emerging structure, the 3rd (UK) Division is set to evolve into a fully tracked maneuver formation, incorporating the latest Challenger 3 Main Battle Tanks (MBT) and the Ajax family of reconnaissance vehicles. In parallel, the Ares variant of the Ajax family will be repurposed into a heavy Armored Personnel Carrier (APC) to replace the long-serving Warrior IFV. Meanwhile, the 1st (UK) Division will be transformed into an all-wheeled expeditionary force structured around the Boxer 8x8 armored vehicle.
Follow Army Recognition on Google News at this link

Challenger 3 main battle tank and Ajax tracked vehicle will form the core of the British Army's future 3rd Division as it transitions into a fully tracked maneuver formation. (Picture source: Editing Army Recognition Group)

The decision to create an all-tracked 3rd Division is driven by the British Army’s need to maximize combat effectiveness in high-intensity warfare against near-peer threats. Tracked vehicles offer decisive advantages in off-road performance, cross-country mobility, and armored protection which are critical attributes for frontline operations in contested environments. This force design is directly aligned with the British Army's "Future Soldier" modernization concept, which seeks to build a highly lethal, digitally connected force capable of joint operations alongside NATO allies in both deterrence and warfighting roles.

At the heart of the tracked maneuver division is the Challenger 3 Main Battle Tank (MBT), produced by Rheinmetall BAE Systems Land. It features a 120mm L55A1 smoothbore gun compatible with advanced NATO kinetic and programmable ammunition. The vehicle incorporates modular armor systems, including the Trophy active protection system to counter anti-tank guided missiles. The Challenger 3 is also equipped with a fully digitized turret, improved thermal sights, advanced fire control systems, and a more powerful and reliable engine, making it one of the most formidable MBTs entering service within NATO.

Complementing the Challenger 3, the Ajax family designed by General Dynamics UK provides a suite of tracked armored platforms for reconnaissance and ISTAR roles. The Ajax variant is armed with a 40mm CTAS cannon using cased telescoped ammunition, enabling compact storage and high-performance engagement against armored targets. It features stabilized optics, a panoramic commander's sight, and advanced digital systems for real-time information sharing and targeting.

Of particular strategic significance is the repurposing of the Ares variant of the Ajax family. Currently configured as a protected mobility vehicle, Ares will be reconfigured into a heavy armored personnel carrier to replace the aging Warrior IFV. It offers superior armor protection to STANAG Level 4 standards, accommodates a section of fully equipped soldiers, and features a 600hp MTU engine coupled with hydro-pneumatic suspension for high mobility across varied terrain. This change will integrate Ares seamlessly into tracked combat teams, operating alongside Ajax and Challenger 3 to form coherent, protected, and networked armored task groups.

The 1st (UK) Division will serve as the Army's primary expeditionary component, utilizing the Boxer 8x8 armored vehicle platform. Designed for strategic and operational mobility, Boxer delivers STANAG Level 4 protection, modularity through mission modules, and rapid deployment capability via A400M or C-17 aircraft. Its wheeled design suits lower-intensity and expeditionary scenarios where speed, deployability, and road endurance are vital. Future variants will include turreted versions equipped with 30mm or 40mm cannons, anti-tank missile launchers, and integrated counter-UAS systems to meet growing battlefield threats.

To support combined arms operations, the 1st Division will also require long-range precision fires similar to the U.S. HIMARS multiple rocket launcher system. One candidate under consideration is the RCH 155 self-propelled artillery system mounted on a Boxer chassis. It features a 155mm L52 gun capable of firing NATO-standard munitions beyond 40 kilometers and integrates seamlessly with Boxer formations, preserving the division’s wheeled mobility.

This proposed force evolution represents a deliberate strategic shift by the British Army to structure its land forces into two clearly defined, mission-oriented divisions. The all-tracked 3rd Division will serve as the heavy maneuver force for direct confrontation in peer warfare while the all-wheeled 1st Division will deliver rapid-response capability for global expeditionary missions, stabilization operations, and hybrid threats. Together, they provide the British Army with a balanced, modern, and agile warfighting capability tailored for 21st-century conflict environments.