After 76 years of sterling service, the legendary Land Rover is bidding farewell to the British Army. The government has initiated the pursuit for a worthy successor to the iconic 4x4 vehicle, setting a replacement deadline by 2030.

       Last Friday(10 Jan), the Ministry of Defence called upon manufacturers to put forward their bids for constructing the Army's future combat vehicles.

       Alongside the Land Rover, the ministry is also aiming to swap out the Austrian-crafted Pinzgauer all-terrain vehicle, which has been employed as both a soldier transporter and a firefighting unit.

       The recently released "open early engagement" announcement requests potential offerings for the production, supply, service, and training tied to a Light Mobility Vehicle (LMV) as part of the comprehensive Land Mobility Programme (LMP).

       Seeking a multifaceted approach, the mission is to identify various avenues, including a wheeled utility platform that can supersede the roles currently held by the Land Rover and Pinzgauer with a "Common Based Platform" that enhances battle readiness throughout the Joint Force.

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       Specifications within the tender suggest consideration of an Off The Shelf (OTS) solution to satisfy the LMV requirements and are inclusive of life cost analysis and total ownership expenses.

       Furthermore, in September 2024, the government proclaimed a significant ￡71 million deal to prolong the active lifespan of its armoured vehicle fleet, encompassing the full spectrum of Land Rover and Pinzgauer models until the end of this decade.

       The Ministry of Defence, at the time, announced: "This will deliver greater value for money and fill the gaps of new vehicle programmes being delivered, maintaining capability in the interim."

       They further stated: "The contract will help to maintain a fleet of more than 15,000 land vehicles for the next 4 years by consolidating former individual contracts, providing a new single point of contact."

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       The deadline for expressions of interest in the replacement vehicle supply has been set for 21 February 2025. Known as the backbone of the British Army, the military acquired its first batch of Series I Land Rovers in 1949.

       Over the decades, various models have been adopted, with the Defender Wolf, boasting improved features, joining the ranks in 1997. Notably, Prince Philip chose a custom-designed Land Rover Defender as his hearse, a project he was involved in designing for over 16 years.