The first major training serial involving the Ajax armoured fighting vehicle will take place on Salisbury Plain.
The primary objective of the ten-day Exercise Iron Strike – the first package at this scale on UK soil involving multiple armoured units for some time – is to achieve combat-ready validation for The Queen’s Royal Hussars Battlegroup, which will deploy Ajax in its close reconnaissance troop.
Also being signed off for operational duties is the brigade support group for the 20th Armoured Brigade Combat Team, consisting of elements of 3 Armoured Close Support Battalion REME, 1 Regiment RLC and 1 Medical Regiment.
Troops from The Royal Dragoon Guards, 1st Battalion The Royal Regiment of Fusiliers and 5th Battalion The Rifles will also be participating, as well as air defence batteries from the army and Royal Navy.
