British Army Tests New Ajax Armored Reconnaissance Vehicles in Sweden's Extreme Cold Weather.

The British Army's new reconnaissance tracked armored vehicle, the AJAX, has successfully undergone rigorous testing in the extreme weather conditions of Sweden's Lapland. On February 19, 2024, the British Army released information about the AJAX's trials, where it faced the daunting cold of winter, with temperatures plunging to as low as minus 30° Celsius.
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The new British army AJAX has been tested under extreme cold weather in Sweden. (Picture source UK MoD)

The testing was conducted by the British Army Household Cavalry Regiment, an armored reconnaissance unit based in Wiltshire, showcasing the AJAX's exceptional all-weather capability. The trials in the frozen landscapes of Lapland proved the vehicle's ability to operate efficiently in severely cold conditions and its capacity to fire accurately while on the move.

This overseas testing marked a significant milestone for the British Army, as it was the first time a Field Army crew had fired the AJAX, both domestically and internationally. The soldiers' successful engagement with the vehicle in such challenging conditions highlights the AJAX's robust mobility across difficult terrains and its superior level of protection.

The AJAX is equipped with cutting-edge Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition, and Reconnaissance (ISTAR) technology, ensuring a high standard of operational capability. Its performance in Lapland signifies the vehicle's readiness to provide the British Army with a world-leading competitive advantage in reconnaissance missions.

The AJAX family comprises six variants, each designed to enhance the Army's operational flexibility in any weather condition, around the clock. The successful trials in Sweden underscore the British Army's commitment to maintaining a technologically advanced and versatile force, prepared to face the challenges of modern warfare in any environment.

The AJAX program encompasses a family of armored fighting vehicles, with the AJAX itself being the centerpiece and equipped with a formidable 40mm cannon. This main variant is specifically designed for reconnaissance and combat, providing the British Army with a highly mobile, well-protected, and powerfully armed platform capable of operating across a wide range of environments. The 40mm cannon equipped on the AJAX variant represents a significant upgrade in firepower, offering the capability to engage and defeat enemy armor and fortifications, as well as providing direct fire support to infantry units.

This cannon is part of a new generation of weaponry designed to deliver higher velocity and more accurate fire, enhancing the vehicle's effectiveness in combat. The AJAX's advanced targeting systems and sensors complement the firepower, enabling it to acquire and engage targets at extended ranges, day or night, and in all weather conditions.

Beyond the AJAX, the family includes several other variants tailored for specific roles, ensuring that the fleet can support a broad spectrum of military operations. These variants are designed to fulfill roles such as command and control, equipment support, recovery, and engineer reconnaissance, among others. By sharing a common platform, these vehicles benefit from logistical and operational efficiencies, including easier maintenance and the ability to interchange parts and crews as needed.

The Ajax has been tested in extreme weather conditions in Sweden. (Picture source UK Mod)

Defense News February 2024