British Army Set to Equip Three Reconnaissance Regiments with New Ajax Tracked Armored Vehicles.

On April 12, 2025, the Royal Armored Corps (RAC) confirmed via its official X Account the deployment of the Ajax reconnaissance tracked armored vehicle across three of its key armored Cavalry Regiments. This decision marks a pivotal evolution in the British Army’s modernization efforts, with the Ajax vehicle designed to provide enhanced reconnaissance and direct combat capabilities to front-line units. The three regiments designated to operate the Ajax are the Household Cavalry Regiment, the Royal Lancers (Queen Elizabeth's Own), and the Royal Dragoon Guards. Additionally, reconnaissance troops within the British Army’s armored Regiments will also receive the Ajax, enabling a significant leap in battlefield situational awareness and survivability. Each of these regiments plays a distinct and vital role within the structure of the Royal armored Corps.
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British Army Ajax reconnaissance vehicle fires with its 40mm Case Telescoped Cannon during a live-fire exercise, demonstrating its precision firepower and advanced target engagement capabilities. (Picture source: Royal Armoured Corps X Account)

The Household Cavalry Regiment (HCR) is one of the most prestigious units in the British Army, tracing its lineage back to the monarchy's personal guard. It is composed of two historic regiments: The Life Guards and The Blues and Royals, which together form the operational arm of the Household Cavalry. While their ceremonial counterparts perform duties at Buckingham Palace and state occasions, the HCR is a fully operational reconnaissance formation. It serves as the armored reconnaissance unit of the British Army’s 3rd (United Kingdom) Division, and has consistently been deployed on operations worldwide, including Afghanistan and Iraq. The regiment was the first to receive the Ajax vehicle in 2024, leading the British Army’s adoption of this advanced platform.

The Royal Lancers (Queen Elizabeth's Own), with a storied history as a cavalry and reconnaissance unit, currently operate under the 1st Deep Reconnaissance Strike Brigade Combat Team. Their transition to the Ajax platform represents a technological leap, replacing the aging CVR(T) Scimitar and enhancing long-range battlefield reconnaissance and intelligence-gathering capabilities.

The Royal Dragoon Guards, another decorated cavalry regiment with operational experience from Northern Ireland to Iraq, are traditionally based in Catterick Garrison. As part of the British Army’s armored force structure, they are transitioning to the Ajax to support brigade-level reconnaissance with improved firepower, sensor capabilities, and mobility.

In standard British Army structure, an armored cavalry regiment consists of a Regimental Headquarters and several Reconnaissance Squadrons. Each squadron is composed of three to four reconnaissance troops, and each troop operates multiple vehicles. In the Ajax configuration, regiments will operate variants such as the turreted Ajax, the Ares personnel carrier, and supporting command, repair, and recovery platforms. This composition enables units to perform tasks including scouting, screening, target acquisition, and mobile fire support, while maintaining high maneuverability and stealth.

The Ajax vehicle family, developed by General Dynamics UK, is the most advanced tracked reconnaissance platform introduced into British Army service in decades. Built on a common chassis, the Ajax family includes six key variants: Ajax (turreted reconnaissance), Ares (personnel carrier), Athena (command and control), Argus (engineering reconnaissance), Apollo (repair), and Atlas (recovery).

The primary Ajax variant features the cutting-edge CTA International 40mm Case Telescoped Cannon, paired with a coaxial 7.62mm chain gun. The CT40 system offers programmable ammunition and stabilized fire control, allowing accurate fire on the move. Power is provided by an MTU V8 199 TE21 diesel engine, generating 600 kW (800 hp), coupled to a Renk automatic transmission, delivering speeds of up to 70 km/h. The vehicle also uses a hydro-pneumatic suspension system for superior off-road performance.

Protection and survivability are key strengths. The Ajax features modular armor, a 360-degree camera system, laser warning receivers, and acoustic shot detection. Its electronic architecture supports secure communications, data sharing, and full integration into networked battlefield environments. The crew of three (commander, gunner, and driver) operate within a fully digitized command-and-control system that connects Ajax units with wider force structures.

By early 2025, over 90 Ajax vehicles had been delivered, with over 180 expected by year-end. The British Army plans to achieve Full Operating Capability (FOC) between October 2028 and September 2029, with Ajax forming the reconnaissance core of the future Deep Reconnaissance Strike Brigade and two armored Brigade Combat Teams.

Despite its advanced features, the Ajax program has drawn some criticism. Defense analysts and service members have voiced concerns regarding the vehicle's survivability in the era of drone-dominated warfare. Lessons from Ukraine suggest that heavily armored platforms may be vulnerable to cheap, commercially available drones, prompting a reevaluation of tactics and procurement priorities.

Additional commentary has pointed to the continued use of the Jackal reconnaissance vehicle by formations like the Queen’s Own Yeomanry. While the Jackal offers excellent mobility and is valued for deep reconnaissance, its limited armor has raised questions about its relevance in high-intensity combat environments.

Nonetheless, the Ajax is central to the British Army’s future capability. With its blend of firepower, mobility, digital integration, and specialized variants, Ajax is set to redefine the role of armored reconnaissance, supporting British forces in a wide range of missions—from high-intensity conflict to multinational operations across NATO and beyond.