Inside the CT40 supercannon
The Ajax vehicle in the UK is being fitted with the CT40 which has also been sold to other NATO partners. (Picture: MoD/Crown Copyright)
The CT40, which is being rolled out on Ajax vehicles across the British Army, is a cannon honed by recent combat experiences and has been designed to meet the defence challenges of a new era of warfare.
The CT40 is the British Army’s first newly qualified cannon and ammunition system since the 1960s. Built in France, it has a number of revolutionary features which have been honed by learning lessons from the war in Ukraine. It has clearly impressed the UK’s Ministry of Defence which has ordered more than 500 units of the gun. The weapon will be fitted to all six variants of the new Ajax vehicles which are important cornerstones of the British Army’s new evolution of force.
The development comes despite delays in getting both the Ajax and the CT40 ready to face the world, and
Our news & analysis is now part of Defence Insight®
A Basic-level or higher Defence Insight subscription is now required to view this content.
More from Land Warfare
-
![Eurosatory 2026: Milrem expands partnerships as it outlines NATO eastern flank defence plans]()
Eurosatory 2026: Milrem expands partnerships as it outlines NATO eastern flank defence plans
In the past three months Milrem Robotics has signed cooperation agreements with Hanwha, EOS Defence Systems and Polska Grupa Zbrojeniowa (PGZ) and at Eurosatory 2026 with CNIM Systèmes Industriels and Frankenburg Technologies. The deals come as the company develops its Eastern Flank Deterrence Initiative.
-
![Eurosatory 2026: GDELS and Thales combine proven tech to create reduced-risk CUAS]()
Eurosatory 2026: GDELS and Thales combine proven tech to create reduced-risk CUAS
Both Thales and GDELS shone a spotlight on their uncrewed and counter-drone efforts at Eurosatory 2026, highlighting the integration of mature technologies with stable C2 systems that are open to agnostic additions and expansion.
-
![Eurosatory 2026: IDV expands with new Viking and CL2X UGV]()
Eurosatory 2026: IDV expands with new Viking and CL2X UGV
At Eurosatory 2026, uncrewed ground vehicles (UGVs) are front and centre of IDV’s display, with a new variant of the Viking and the new CL2X on show.
-
![Eurosatory 2026: Nordic CV90 contract to be signed this year as best offer submitted]()
Eurosatory 2026: Nordic CV90 contract to be signed this year as best offer submitted
The four-nation Nordic Programme to buy BAE Systems Hägglunds CV90 MkIV tracked vehicles is an ambitious effort for the partner countries to buy almost identical vehicles and is worth billions of dollars.
