The AJAX programme is progressing at quite a pace, with the recent delivery of new thermal sleeves which will be fitted to the gun barrels of the vehicles.

They were bought under a nine-month rapid procurement sprint with GDUK and will be fitted to the CT40 cannons to further enhance the firing accuracy and improve the life span of the barrel.

The thermal sleeves have been developed by industry partners Nexter Systems and CTA International and have been modified by GDUK for use on AJAX.

Mr Simon Pearson, Head Ajax Portfolio, DE&S said:

“As ever, the team behind delivering the AJAX programme has gone above and beyond to ensure that this latest piece of equipment was procured and delivered in under eight months. Defence procurement is not without its challenges but this latest activity highlights how things can and should be done when industry, DE&S and our customers in the Army work together for a common goal.”

The sleeve works by being mounted on to the cannon’s weapon barrel support which allows the barrel to recoil freely inside whilst it remains static.

Colonel Jamie Hayward, Armoured Cavalry Programme Director said:

“The CTAI CT40 Thermal Sleeve is an off-the-shelf solution designed for the CT40 cannon’s static barrel bend, an integral part of the weapon system which is now being incorporated to further enhance the firing accuracy and improve the life span of the barrel.”

Mr Scott Milne, Vice President & General Manager of General Dynamics Land Systems – UK Operations, added:

“The integration of the Thermal Sleeve not only enhances the Lethality of the highly accurate Ajax CT40 cannon but also the signature management of this world class reconnaissance capability. Delivery of this rapid capability spiral has benefitted from strong collaboration across the growing Ajax Enterprise with CTAI acting as a trusted partner ensuring that Ajax is on track to exceed CGS’ challenge of doubling British Army fighting power by 2027”.

The Ajax programme is part of a £41 billion investment in British Army equipment and support over the next decade. The programme will deliver 589 of the most advanced, medium weight, armoured fighting vehicles in the world.

It’s open digital architecture, and generous vehicle power and weight budgets mean it is unique in that it’s capabilities can be upgraded over time. Plans are developing with technologies such as active and passive protection systems, the integration of already available airburst cannon rounds and the evolution of platform sensors harnessing AI already being considered.

The programme also safeguards or creates around 4,100 jobs across more than 230 UK-based companies. These numbers could be strengthened further through the significant export opportunities that Ajax offers and would continue to provide economic growth, strengthen strategic relations and support the Land Industrial Strategy.