The British Army is enhancing its training capabilities with a new facility at Warminster Garrison, dedicated to the Ajax armoured vehicle programme. This £17 million project includes a 226-tonne steel superstructure and aims to provide state-of-the-art synthetic training for Ajax crews.
Advanced Training Infrastructure
State-of-the-Art Simulation
The new facility at Warminster Garrison is part of a broader effort to modernise the Army’s training infrastructure. It will offer high-tech simulation systems for drivers, gunners, and other crew members of the Ajax vehicles.
This advanced training will help prepare soldiers for real-world missions in a virtual environment, reducing the need for live training and operational costs.
The Main Features of the Facility
- High-Tech Simulations: The facility will provide synthetic training for units operating the Ajax and its sister vehicles.
- Cost Efficiency: It aims to reduce running costs, platform wear, and dependence on live training areas.
- Completion Date: The facility is set to be completed by autumn 2025.
- Project Oversight: The Royal Dragoon Guards will oversee the facility once it is completed.
The Ajax Programme
The Ajax programme, valued at £5.5 billion, is the largest single order for armoured vehicles in the UK in over 20 years.
The programme has faced several delays, including issues with noise and vibration, but it is now on track to deliver its initial operating capability between July and December 2025.
Brigadier Pete Quaite, the head of Infrastructure Plans, noted:
“The Warminster Garrison Ajax facility is progressing at an impressive pace and will deliver a critical capability to the Army. This project demonstrates the significant investment under way across our estate to modernise our training infrastructure and deliver benefits for our people.”
Variants and Capabilities
The Ajax family includes six variants, each serving different roles:
- AJAX: Reconnaissance vehicle equipped with a 40mm CTA cannon and advanced sensor systems.
- ATLAS: Recovery vehicle with over 30 metric tonnes of winching power.
- ARES: Troop carrier providing protection and mobility.
- ARGUS: Battlefield engineering vehicle for terrain assessment and obstacle clearance.
- ATHENA: Command and control vehicle for information processing.
- APOLLO: Repair vehicle with tools and a five-tonne crane.
Impact on Training and Operations
The new facility will enable soldiers to train in a more realistic and controlled environment, enhancing their readiness for various operational scenarios.
This advanced training will be crucial as the Ajax vehicles are integrated into the Army’s Strike Brigades, improving the Army’s ability to respond to threats rapidly and effectively.
Parting Shot
The new Ajax facility at Warminster Garrison represents a significant step forward in the British Army’s training capabilities.
The state-of-the-art simulation technology will play a critical role in preparing soldiers for the advanced Ajax armoured vehicles, equipping them to handle the demands of modern warfare.
Sources: THX News & Defence Infrastructure Organisation.
