The UK is to add a basic utility vehicle to its four-vehicle Future Rapid Effects System (FRES) programme.

The FRES programme will see four vehicles, beginning with a utility platform and progressing through to reconnaissance, direct and indirect fire and manoeuvre support introduced to the UK military.

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A fifth vehicle – a basic capability utility vehicle with a lower specification than the utility platform – has now been added, defensenews.com reports.

Ministry of Defence Equipment and Support Organisation chief of material (land) Lt Gen Dick Applegate says the vehicle will be developed from existing platforms and would be a “further purchase of something we have already, not a stripped-down FRES utility vehicle”.

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