- British Army begins retiring iconic Land Rover fleet after 70
years of service.
- Land Rover's legacy honoured as Army set to
receive thousands of new vehicles.
- Industry leaders showcased new vehicle designs for
the Army's next light mobility fleet.
British soldiers will use a new fleet
of thousands of modern vehicles, following the
start of the retirement of the iconic Land Rover
fleet.
The retirement, which begins today, marks the end of an
era for the vehicle that has been a cornerstone of
military operations for more than 70 years.
As the Army looks to the future, plans are now underway
to identify the next generation of light mobility
vehicles, with the first new vehicles are expected to be in the
hands of soldiers by 2030.
Simple, dependable and a workhorse of the British military,
the Land Rover has been used for a range of
duties, including patrol, command liaison and transportation of
equipment and personnel.
A special commemorative event was
held today, Thursday 19 March, at Bovington,
home to the Armoured Fighting Vehicle School, to honour the Land
Rover's legacy and outline the Army's vision for its successor.
The event brought together Minister for Defence Readiness and
Industry, MP, military personnel, and industry,
who showcased modern vehicles that could replace the
Land Rover.
Minister for Defence Readiness and Industry
said:
“The Land Rover and British Army share an
incredible history and the image of a
Landy in Army livery is truly iconic.
“As we look ahead to the future of light mobility vehicles, it is
fitting to pay tribute to this extraordinary fleet that has
served our Armed Forces so faithfully.
“I'm firing the starting gun on the replacement vehicle
competition, seeking to put a modern vehicle in the hands of our
personnel.”
Land Rovers have been a trusted workhorse for the British Armed
Forces since their widespread adoption in the 1950s. In
2025, more than 5,000 Land Rovers remained in service
across the UK military, a testament to their durability and
versatility.
The retirement of the Land Rover marks a significant milestone in
the evolution of the British Army's mobility capabilities. While
the Land Rover's legacy will endure, the Army is now focused on
ensuring its personnel are equipped with a modern,
technologically advanced fleet to support future
operations.
The Light Mobility Vehicle (LMV) programme aims
to identify an enduring successor to the Land
Rover, ensuring the Army's continued operational effectiveness,
and the programme will formally launch in due
course. LMV will offer opportunities to British-based
businesses through vehicle support and maintenance, helping make
defence an engine for growth.
Over the decades, several bespoke Land Rover models were
developed exclusively for military use, including:
- Series IIA Ambulance – Designed to carry four stretchers and
a medic.
- Series IIA Pink Panther – Designed for use in the desert by
the SAS, it was used for special operation missions and
long-distance reconnaissance.
- Amphibious SIIA 109” – A prototype of a vehicle that could be
used for sea landings.
- V8 Centaur Multi-Role Half-Track – Created with a track taken
from the Scorpion light tank, it represented an attempt
to merge road vehicle with a tank.
