- Ford, GDLS and Ricardo bid Ford Ranger for the Army’s LMV replacement programme
- GDLS would lead conversion in South Wales; Ford supplies vehicles; Ricardo supports engineering
- £900m contract with multiple bidders, tied to a shift toward light mobility
Ford is to compete – along with a range of other automotive OEMs – 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) programme.
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.
The offer would seek to leverage Ford’s existing UK footprint, where it employs more than 6,000 workers at sites in Dunton and Dagenham.
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 of armoured vehicles for the British Army.
Under the partnership agreement, Ford will provide the base platform, along with upfitting integration and aftersales support.
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’s operational requirements.
The company is also exploring the potential for vehicle sales to other national armed forces across Europe, according to reporting from the Financial Times.
Land Rover replacements assemble
The British Army’s 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.
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.
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).
The expected £900m ($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.
Coverage of Ford’s bid for the LMV programme can also be read over at Just Auto, Army Technology’s sister news site covering the commercial automotive industry.
