152 Ajax armored vehicles already built for British army.

Progress is being made in the deployment of the Ajax family of armored vehicles for the British Army, with more than 25% of the ordered 589 vehicles now constructed. While this marks significant advancement, deliveries have temporarily halted since June 2023, as crews engage in familiarization programs with the new platform.
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In a response to the British Parliament dated January 17, 2024, it was revealed that 152 Ajax vehicles have been produced. (Picture source: Army Recognition)

In a response to the British Parliament dated January 17, 2024, it was revealed that 152 Ajax vehicles have been produced, surpassing the 25% mark of the planned fleet. Additionally, the latest standard of the Ajax, known as Capability Drop 3, has been accepted by the UK Ministry of Defence, and deliveries are underway to achieve initial operating capability.

IOC is achieved once 50 out of the 589 total units have been delivered, with 27 to be used by a deployable squadron and the remaining 23 for British Army crew and maintainer training. As of January 17, 2024, 44 units have been delivered, a figure that has remained unchanged for over six months.

General Dynamics Land Systems UK (GDUK) has received 461 hulls since manufacturing began. The UK MoD has a firm contract of £5.5 billion ($6.9 billion) with GDUK for the delivery of 589 vehicles, with an estimated forecast cost to completion of £5.4 billion as per the MoD's Equipment Plan 2022-32. To date, around £4 billion has been disbursed against the General Dynamics Ajax contract.

In December 2023, the UK Government reported progress in the Ajax family of vehicles' development timeline. The Ajax, Apollo, Atlas, and Ares variants have undergone extensive testing, driving over 20,000 kilometers through various terrains as part of Reliability Growth Trials. Capability Drop 3 vehicle production continues at the GDUK site, with all production lines operational and all six variants in progress, with delivery to the British Army expected to commence in 2024.

In early 2024, Ajax will undergo Live Crew Clearance Cold Climate Trials in Sweden, marking the first time the vehicle will be used outside of the UK with British Army personnel.

The Ajax program encountered a temporary setback in 2021 due to excessive vibration and noise, leading to crews requiring medical attention. However, Reliability Growth Trials, initiated in early 2023, have addressed these issues.

The program's timeline has been extended, with the possibility that Reliability Growth Trials and subsequent analysis may continue until Q1 2025. This development is a crucial element of the British Army's restructuring, transitioning from Strike Brigades to Brigade Combat Teams, a term borrowed from the US Army's force structures.

The Ajax program's inception dates back to 2010 under the Scout SV initiative when GDUK was chosen as the preferred bidder. A contract of £500 million was awarded to GDUK for prototype development, based on the Spanish ASCOD armoured vehicle. The prototype Ajax vehicle was unveiled in 2015, solidifying its role in the British Army's modernization efforts.