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The Ford Ranger is the centrepiece of the new offering for the British Army\u2019s LMV programme. Credit: Ford<\/p>\n
Ford, GDLS and Ricardo bid Ford Ranger for the Army\u2019s LMV replacement programme<\/p>\n
GDLS would lead conversion in South Wales; Ford supplies vehicles; Ricardo supports engineering<\/p>\n
\u00a3900m contract with multiple bidders, tied to a shift toward light mobility<\/p>\n
Ford is to compete \u2013 along with a range of other automotive OEMs \u2013 for a significant new UK military vehicle contract as the British Army seeks to replace its existing Land Rover and Pinzgauer fleets under the Light Mobility Vehicle (LMV)<\/a> programme.<\/p>\n Detailed in a 2 September release, it was revealed that Ford would team with General Dynamics Land Systems (GDLS) and Ricardo in offering the Ford Ranger series of utility vehicles.<\/p>\n The offer would seek to leverage Ford\u2019s existing UK footprint, where it employs more than 6,000 workers at sites in Dunton and Dagenham.<\/p>\n In addition, GDLS would offer up its own facilities in Merthyr Tydfil and Oakdale, South Wales, where commercial platforms will be converted, integrated and supported. The company also produces the troubled Ajax-series<\/a> of armoured vehicles for the British Army.<\/p>\n Under the partnership agreement, Ford will provide the base platform, along with upfitting integration and aftersales support. <\/p>\n GDLS will serve as prime contractor, leading specialist defence systems integration and militarised conversion in their facilities in South Wales, while Ricardo will act as engineering partner, supporting the upfitting design to meet the British Army\u2019s operational requirements.<\/p>\n The company is also exploring the potential for vehicle sales to other national armed forces across Europe, according to reporting from the Financial Times.<\/p>\n Land Rover replacements assemble<\/p>\n The British Army\u2019s LMV requirement will see thousands of existing Land Rover utility vehicles replaced, with the commercial automotive industry clearly identifying the programme as a key crossover opportunity.<\/p>\n Unlike traditional defence procurements, there is less of a need to produce a bespoke military solution, rather the adaptation or commercial vehicles ably serving the needs for the British Army.<\/p>\n With the teaming of Ford, GDLS, and Ricardo, the new partnership joins a growing list of competitors, which includes Babcock\/Toyota (Land Cruiser\/Hilux), INEOS\/NMS (Grenadier), GM Defense\/BAE Systems (Chevrolet Colorado), and Rheinmetall (Caracal).<\/p>\n The expected \u00a3900m ($1.21bn) programme has been long-awaited by industry and several years in the making. The relative lack of complexity should enable a rapid delivery timescale, and also fits with a doctrinal shift in the British Army away from heavy armour and towards light mobility.<\/p>\n
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