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 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
-
NATO FUSE exercise plays out real-world scenario in the face of eastern border risks
The large-scale exercise in Latvia was the culmination of three experimentation initiatives to see how platforms, weapons and systems could fit into the alliance’s Eastern Flank Deterrence Initiative. As well as forces, it brought together companies and equipment.
-
Euronaval 2026: Faster frigates, evolving contracts and drone motherships lead opening conference
Fast frigate deliveries to the Hellenic Navy, French pressure on suppliers over open architectures and calls for new classes of warship marked the start of the Paris show.
-
Canada accelerates uncrewed aerial system procurement for NATO and Arctic forces
Canada plans to acquire at least 120 uncrewed aerial systems through two competitions with combined funding ceilings of C$32 million.
-
Front-line support: how UK industry is helping tackle Ukraine’s landmine challenges
Pearson Engineering has provided equipment and engineering expertise to the Armed Forces of Ukraine since the beginning of the full-scale Russian invasion in 2022. The British company is now working to deepen engagement with the Ukrainian defence industry, expanding its support for the country’s population and laying the foundations for future technological innovation.