Sonny Butterworth

AFV anorak | Defence Analyst @AviationWeek | Formerly covered AFVs for @JanesINTEL and @ShephardNews | Editor for @tanksenc | All views my own | L/RT≠E

[Christopher Petrov @petrovbg2]

Some smaller developments after last week's #IAV2026. Everyone has covered the important things, so here are a few smaller things that were easy to miss. Ajax with the Nemo, which has already been covered extensively. One small thing that seemed different with this vehicle was the sides-skirts, with the increased side protection. This is not novel, but is not seen very frequently, and appears to match closely to how ASCOD (2) is offered.

[The Chieftain @Chieftain_armor]

Ok. Some initial observations. Obviously lots of media will be coming through over the next two days, with their own topics and thoughts. My own video will come soon.

1) Don't get hung up about anything above the hull roof. In fact, don't get hung up about everything below the hull roof either. As suspected, this is a test vehicle which is focused on crew operation. They just needed something to do the turret job, which is why they grabbed an A1 turret and modified it to fit the needs of the crew test program (including autoloader). A bespoke turret is being made with everything incorporated from the beginning instead of added on like the current tank, but that gets integrated after they know for sure what they need from testing. This vehicle has the turbine engine, other test vehicles are running the automotive trials on the Cat. Eventually everything will be put together, but that time is not now.

2) As the RWS is above the hull roof, again, don't get hung up on it. They needed an RWS for testing, that's the one they grabbed. When they brought it to the show, the RWS had an empty rack, it could carry a Javelin, so they put a Javelin on it. The purpose is not to show that the thing can carry or is intended to carry a Javelin specifically, nobody here thinks there is any merit to using space/height/weight for things which things which don't have to be on the tank for the tank to do tank things. They have been very focused on the design on the tank's requirements as a tank. Instead the purpose was to demonstrate "the RWS will be modular and able to be reconfigured as required". For similar reasons, don't get too caught up on the Mk19, secondary armament mix and location has not been finalized. RWS'll shoot down drones though.

3) Power capacity for a coffee maker (110v plug socket) has been provided. (It actually has other uses officially, but you know someone will hook up a Keurig)

4) Confirmed 3 man crew. In theory they expect a hatch up top for admin moves, maintenance access etc, (this vehicle does have one) and a cramped manual backup position if things get desperate.

5) Tank can shoot and move with one crewman. It's not ideal, but it'll work. Again, I can't overstate how important the software you can't see is. Fully configurable crew stations, combat assistance and upgradeability is inherent. When it comes time to let the tank do everything on its own, there will be an app for that.

6) No more broken torsion bars.

7) Whilst I understand why it's a static and closed display, it is, granted, a bit underwhelming to look at in photographs. The interesting stuff is under the hood and the tank on display is a great talking point for the folks here who are very excited about the end design, we could have talked for hours. The engineers will geek out more than the tank nerds, this really is a massive step in capability. The promise this vehicle shows to keep M1's position as "apex predator on the battlefield" is definite, even if those who want to see the final, low profile, 60 ton vehicle right now are disappointed. It takes time to brew perfection.

[Sonny Butterworth @Rivet_Counter]

May have missed it, but first time for me seeing the K12 RV variant of the K9 Thunder family. Looks like it may be for recovery/repair.

[Sonny Butterworth @Rivet_Counter]

@petrovbg2 6L SOV from ITX Motors https://t.co/Eeo8PtNsSp

[Think Defence @thinkdefence]

Thread from last night in case you missed it

[Jon Hawkes @JonHawkes275]

(1/19) With DSEi around the corner, expect Ajax chatter on the topic of IFVs to crop up again, as it has this week. Here’s a thread on IFV options, facts, and my usual ramblings from recent developments.

[Leander Jobse @LeanderJobse]

My latest article for Tanks Encyclopedia, a deep dive into the widespread use of the Gurkha by @TerradyneArmor.
I've already covered its predecessors, the Armet Balkan and Gurkha in separate articles on the website

[Sonny Butterworth @Rivet_Counter]

@LeanderJobse @HammerOfWar5 I think the covered vehicles in the second photos are Streit Group Condors (their copy of the Spartak)

[Leander Jobse @LeanderJobse]

Very interesting new armored vehicle acquisitions by the Beninese Armed Forces showcased today at the 65th Independence Anniversary Parade; 9 Belarusian Caimans (delivered 2025) and 4 Emirati Calidus MCAV-20 (delivered 2024). Total numbers are unknown to me

[Sonny Butterworth @Rivet_Counter]

@petrovbg2 Cameras on the front and sides too. What's the vehicle behind with the shutters over the front windows?

[Christopher Petrov @petrovbg2]

Quick visit to MILEX 2025 in Belarus last week.

[Amaël Kotlarski @JakOSpades]

KNDS France's recent presentation on the CAESAR SPG with lessons learned from 🇺🇦. Beyond the sales pitch, there are some interesting takeaways for modern artillery.

[Kelvin Wong @PENxSWORD]

The very photogenic @nurolmakina NMS 4x4 from #Türkiye 🇹🇷 at the recent Live Firing Show 2025 #LFS2025 in #Lithuania 🇱🇹!

[Sonny Butterworth @Rivet_Counter]

Found some non-official footage of Senegal's 65th anniversary parade that gives a better view of a couple things that caught my eye: Gendarmerie Harrow Merkavas in the first pic and a Puma M36 MRAP recovery vehicle followed by a RAM ambulance of the army in the second pic

[Sonny Butterworth @Rivet_Counter]

@LeanderJobse Didn't know about Sipar Group, thanks for the heads up!

[Sonny Butterworth @Rivet_Counter]

Much less exciting than the new Chinese AD systems, but I think there's some Tajik Streit Cougars in the background 🇹🇯

[Sonny Butterworth @Rivet_Counter]

Finally there was this Hafeet with some kind of shelter on the back. This was displayed with other vehicles from the 🇦🇪 armed forces at the show entrance.

[Sonny Butterworth @Rivet_Counter]

A little personal quest at IDEX was to try to photograph all of the Nimr Ajban and Hafeet versions on display. The most common types were based on the Ajban Mk 2, such as this 442A shown outside alongside a 4x4 Jais.

[Sonny Butterworth @Rivet_Counter]

There was also an open-topped Ajban marked up for the Abu Dhabi Police at Edge's outdoor area. This looked similar to the military LRSOV version.