Challenger 3, Ajax and Archer On Show At Army Expo 2024

A pre-production version of the British Army’s new Challenger 3 Main Battle Tank (MBT) will be among the equipment showcased at Army Expo 2024.

Staged across five days next week, this year’s version of the British Army’s annual event is again being hosted at the Wellington Barracks in central London.

Designed to offer an overview of the force’s capabilities and strategic future aims, this year’s show will feature Ajax, the family of Armoured Fighting Vehicles (AFVs) and Armoured Reconnaissance Vehicles (ARVs) being supplied by General Dynamics.

Ajax is currently in trials which could stretch into 2025; as per a 2023 statement from the Ministry of Defence, the Army expects to reach full operational capability with the new vehicle between October 2028 and September 2029.

ArmyExpo 2024 will also feature Archer, the Army’s automated, rapid-deployment artillery field gun system produced by BAE Systems subsidiary Bofors.

The Army has 14 of the 155mm self-propelled howitzers, which have a firing range of more than 30 miles.

Also on show will be an Apache AH-64E, the most advanced iteration of Boeing’s globally renowned attack helicopter. The British Army has ordered 50 AH-64Es to replace its AH-64D variants.

The tandem-seat aerial weapons platform is twin-engined, with a four-blade rotor system; its weaponry includes a nose-mounted chain gun and the aircraft can be equipped with Hellfire missiles and Hydra rockets.

Meanwhile Rheinmetall BAE Systems Land (RBSL) posted an image of its Challenger 3 Main Battle Tank (MBT) on X this week along with the message: “The finishing touches are complete on the latest Challenger 3 pre-production vehicle produced at our #Telford manufacturing facility, ready for its participation in #ArmyExpo24.”

Challenger 3’s main upgrade over Challenger 2 will be its new turret, including a new 120mm L55A1 smoothbore gun; the first units are due to be delivered in 2025. In total, RBSL will be supplying 148 of the tanks to the British Army in a contract with an estimated value of just under £1 billion.

As stated in an Army press release, Army Expo 2024 “is aimed at senior decision-makers in politics and industry, senior British Army partners and stakeholders, commentators, and influencers, within the U.K. and internationally.”

It added: “To improve understanding of what the British Army is, does and where we are heading, and facilitate closer cooperation and cross-pollination of ideas and solutions, Expo24 will be thought-provoking for specially invited guests.

“Some of our most sophisticated technology and equipment will be on show, demonstrating our lethality and effectiveness against the modern world’s most potent threats.”

• You can read more about ArmyExpo 2024 on the British Army website