A state-of-the-art facility has been purpose built at the Combat Manoeuvre Centre, Bovington to house a suite of truly immersive simulators which enables the new Ajax capability synthetic military training and vehicle instruction sheds (known as VIS) for training on the live platform.
Representatives at the opening of the new AJAX Simulation centre. The Gunnery, static, and full motion driving simulators will increase available training hours for soldiers.
The opening of the simulation building at Allenby Barracks in Bovington, Dorset, means that it will provide a safe system of training and enables a reduction in running costs, platform wear and dependence on live training areas.
British Army’s Armoured Cavalry Programme, commonly known as Ajax, will deliver a family of tracked, all-terrain, digitally enabled vehicles with a range of weapons and sensors delivering transformational change in capability to the British Army.
"AFV (Armoured Fighting Vehicle) simulators are integral to the Safe System of Training. The facility formally opened at ARMCEN (Armoured Centre) today provides us a step change in our simulation training capability and enables us to thoroughly prepare new drivers, operators and commanders to get the very best from Ajax."
Mr Chris Bowbrick, Ajax Programme Senior Responsible Owner said: "The delivery of this facility at the Combat Manoeuvre Centre delivers a critical capability to the Army and to the success of the Ajax Programme. It’s great to see it operational and enabling the delivery of synthetic training to Field Army units."
The facility houses a varied suite of simulators including three Desk Top Trainers, six Enhanced Procedural Driver Trainers, three Full Motion Driver Trainer Simulators, three Crew Turret Trainers and four Small Arms Drill Trainers. The use of simulation provides a safe system of training and enables a reduction in running costs, platform wear and dependence on live training areas.
Colonel John Godfrey, Deputy Commander Combat Manoeuvre Centre and Commander Bovington Garrison said: "AFV simulators are integral to the Safe System of Training. The facility formally opened at ARMCEN today provides us a step change in our simulation training capability and enables us to thoroughly prepare new drivers, operators and commanders to get the very best from Ajax. It will make us better AFV operators, and it sets the new benchmark for our modernisation programmes."
In addition to the Bovington development, Ajax infrastructure has already delivered simulation centres at Tidworth Garrison, Bulford Camp on Salisbury Plain Training Area, and is due to complete at Warminster Garrison by the end of 2025.
"It is excellent to see the new Ajax facility at Bovington now in use, offering ‘real-world’ training for military personnel, reducing running costs and providing a critical capability to the Army."
Brigadier Pete Quaite OBE, Head of Infra Plans said: “We are providing investment across several areas of our estate to modernise training infrastructure, improve operational efficiency and deliver benefits for our people. It is excellent to see the new Ajax facility at Bovington now in use, offering ‘real-world’ training for military personnel, reducing running costs and providing a critical capability to the Army.”
Warren Webster, DIO’s Major Programmes and Projects Army Director, said: “Completion of this impressive facility is testament to the collaborative approach between our project team and industry partners. This modern, high-quality facility meets the infrastructure requirements of the Army’s Armoured Cavalry Programme and supports training of its personnel.”
Ajax is part of a £41 billion investment in British Army equipment and support over the next decade and will become the most advanced, medium weight, armoured fighting vehicle in the world. The Programme will reach Initial Operating Capability between July and December 2025, delivering a trained and deployable squadron that can be sustained on operations for up to six months.
