The UK Ministry of Defence’s Defence Equipment and Support (DE&S) is offering a contract to supply and support Boresight kits, potentially broadening the scope to multiple weapon systems. Suppliers have been invited to engage in a competitive bidding process that could span several years.
Alignment with Ajax programme’s IOC milestone
In a move set to enhance precision across military platforms, DE&S has announced a new contract opportunity focusing on the procurement and support of Boresight kits. This initiative, valued between £2m ($2.56m) and £5m, seeks suppliers to deliver these components for the AJAX vehicle system and potentially other defence applications.
In 2020, Hensoldt secured a contract to deliver 300 high-precision boresight telescopes and ancillary accessories to the German Armed Forces, specifically for Leopard 2 tanks and the self-propelled howitzer 2000.
The contract, which opened for bids on August 2, 2024, initially targets the acquisition of 295 Boresight kits, with an urgent need for 50 kits within the first six months of the contract’s commencement. This requirement aligns with AJAX’s Initial Operating Capability (IOC) milestone. However, the scope of this contract could expand, as additional optional purchases from other teams could bring the total number of kits to approximately 400.
Historical delays and operational challenges
The British Army’s Ajax armoured vehicle programme has faced delays and setbacks, with issues such as excessive noise and vibration causing it to miss multiple operational milestones since its inception in 2010. Initially expected to be operational by 2017, the programme is now expected to reach Initial Operating Capability (IOC) in December 2025, despite manufacturing over 25% of the planned 589 vehicles, which was last reported in January of this year.
The success of Ajax is crucial for the British Army’s future capabilities, especially as other equipment like the Challenger 2 tanks and AS90 artillery systems are being phased out or deployed to Ukraine.
Resumption of training and manufacturing milestones
Despite these previous challenges, the British Army’s Ajax armoured vehicle programme is gradually progressing towards deployment. Training resumed in June 2023 as part of efforts to familiarise personnel with the vehicles. Lockheed Martin, responsible for manufacturing the vehicle’s turrets, has completed over half of the production, and recent trials in Sweden demonstrated the vehicle’s operability in sub-Arctic conditions.
Ajax variants include reconnaissance and strike, fire control, ground-based surveillance, armoured personnel carrier, armoured recovery, repair, and engineering types, according to GlobalData’s intelligence on the UK defence market.
This procurement process, managed through a restricted procedure, presents a unique opportunity for suppliers to contribute to current and future defence projects. DE&S is seeking suppliers for the immediate AJAX needs but is also inviting proposals that could meet the broader demands of other weapon systems in the Land Equipment Operating Centre (LEOC).
The contract is anticipated to run from January 2, 2025, to March 31, 2028, with its exact duration contingent on the maturation of additional requirements from various teams.
