DSEI 2025: armoured fighting vehicles in the spotlight

Several armoured fighting vehicles (AFV) – some new, some improved – have attracted many observers over the course of the first day of DSEI 2025.

The Russia-Ukraine conflict still demonstrates the need for the trinity: protection, mobility, and firepower on the frontline. According to GlobalData intelligence, the global military land vehicles market, valued at $35bn this year, is projected to reach $57bn by 2035.

Ajax IFV

General Dynamics Land Systems UK (GDLS-UK) unveiled its new Ajax infantry fighting vehicle (IFV), which is built on its enduring common base platform (CBP).

While the British Army awaits 180 Ajax CBPs before the end of 2025, GDLS-UK will also put forward the new IFV version to replace the service’s 625 ageing Warrior IFVs, the first of which entered service in 1988, and will begin decommissioning from 2027.

Operated by a crew of three – driver, commander, and an optionally dismountable gunner – Ajax IFV features a configurable rear compartment for up to eight personnel, each with seating and under-armour stowage.

The Ajax IFV features a modular, optionally-crewed CT40 turret – reusing the digital fire control system and subsystems of the CBP – meeting Nato standards. The IFV allows operators to fire 40mm high explosive (HE) rounds, which the company say delivers four times greater terminal effect than 30mm HE equivalents, penetrating armour at around 2.5km.

The upgraded anti-air cannon provides kinetic energy air burst and general HE air burst munitions with increased elevation angles up to 75 degrees for anti-air and counter-uncrewed aerial system (C-UAS) capabilities.

AMPV (C2)

One AFV that may be overlooked, situated at the back of BAE Systems’ extensive booth, is the command and control (C2) variant of the Armoured Multi Purpose Vehicle (AMPV).

The platform is on a path to replace the legacy M113 family of vehicles, which date back to the Vietnam War and in service with many countries around the world, most recently in Ukraine. Primarily, AMPV will serve the US Army’s Armored Brigade Combat Teams, and due operate alongside the M1 Abrams main battle tank and M2 Bradley IFV.

It is the first time that the C2 AMPV variant has been displayed on European soil, albeit the medical vehicle featured in DSEI 2023. In addition, it is the first time that the company, with Army’s permission, allowed visitors to look and sit inside the C2 version.

When asked about appetite for AMPV in Europe, Bill Sheehy, director of ground manuevre platforms, confirmed that “a number of countries want to come [to] see it,” and that one prospective customer wanted to integrate their own turret. Notably, last year, at AUSA, BAE Systems showcased a AMPV mortar platform integrated with Kongsberg’s medium-calibre turret.

Sheehy remains undaunted by the US government’s cancellation of various defence programmes, including enduring land vehicles such as Humvee and JLTV, contending “they are not going to divorce themselves from armoured brigades… that’s one of the strengths of the United States Army.

“They may reduce number of brigade sets but they’re going to have that strength within the US Army,” he emphasised.

TRACKX

Patria unveiled its new tracked all-terrain armoured personnel carrier, TRACKX, engineered to traverse harsh conditions.

Jussi Järvinen, executive vice president for protected mobility, confirmed that TRACKX will be ready for serial production in 2027. Furthermore, the Finnish Defence Forces have placed an order which, Järvinen stated, would be delivered as early as 2026.

The new platform will be developed within the framework of the multinational European Defence Agency-funded FAMOUS programme to improve and interoperate combat vehicles, led by Finland, in collaboration with its industrial partners and programme member nations.

TRACKX can transport 12 soldiers with equipment and to perform on roads, in dense forests, steep hills, wet bogs, and deep snow without compromising its protection.

Key design principles include mass efficiency, wide rubber tracks, low ground pressure, a low and centrally positioned centre of gravity, independently adjustable hydropneumatic suspension for each track wheel, and an almost flat underside without torsion bars.

The vehicle is said to represent a cost-effective alternative to other light tracked vehicles, targeting especially the 13–18 tonne weight class.

KF41 Lynx

Finally, Rheinmetall displayed the Lynx KF41 as an air defence tank with a Skyranger 35 system for the first time.

The mobile air defence system incorporates integrated active and passive search and tracking sensors and an autonomous weapon system. It is the latest member of the Lynx family.

Skyranger 35 is equipped with a KDG 35/1000 revolver cannon in 35mm x 228 calibre with a firing rate of 1,000 rounds per minute. It has an effective range of up to 4,000 metres.

KF41 can be configured as IFV, C2 vehicle, armoured personnel carrier, ambulance, reconnaissance vehicle, medical evacuation platform, and repair and recovery vehicle. However, this air defence variant of the platform contrasts with the IFV vairant in that it uses the Oerlikon Skyranger.

Rheinmetall constructs the Lynx at a production facility based in Zalaegerszeg, western Hungary; this site was opened in August last year. The arms builder also delivered the first Hungarian-made KF41 IFV to Hungary and, separately, the company revealed that the first Lynx to Ukraine will be delivered before the end of 2024.