The United Kingdom still has not finalized the iconic Land Rover’s successor, but has narrowed it down to a handful of candidates in the “Light Mobility Vehicle” program.

The United States Army phased out its iconic Willys Jeep 40 years ago, replacing it with the HMMWV or Humvee. Now, after nearly eight decades of reliable service, the British Army will retire its equally renowned Land Rover.

Last week, the British government confirmed that the 4×4 Land Rover, which was first adopted in 1949, will be replaced with a “next generation of light mobility vehicles, with the first new vehicles expected to be in the hands of soldiers by 2030.

As of last year, more than 5,000 Land Rovers had remained in service with the British military.

“The Land Rover and British Army share an incredible history, and the image of a Landy in Army livery is truly iconic,” said Minister for Defence Readiness and Industry Luke Pollard, at a commemorative event held at the Armoured Fighting Vehicle School in Bovington.

“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,” Pollard said. “I’m firing the starting gun on the replacement vehicle competition, seeking to put a modern vehicle in the hands of our personnel.”

The Land Rover Is the Modern Workhorse of the British Army

The Land Rover first saw use in a war zone in the early 1950s, when the Series I vehicles were deployed with the British Army to the Korean Peninsula, and then took part in desert operations during the Suez Crisis in 1956, where it solidified its role as an essential military transport.

As the “go-to” go anywhere vehicle of the British Army, Land Rovers have been used in nearly every military conflict that involved UK forces—notably in the Falklands Island War in 1982, the NATO peacekeeping mission in Bosnia in the 1990s, and in Iraq during the Global War on Terrorism (GWoT).

Although designed for off-road use, the Land Rover was a familiar sight during “The Troubles” in Northern Ireland from the 1960s to the 1990s.

“Its rugged construction and simple mechanical components beat touchscreens and computers where it matters,” Hagerty.com explained.

The Land Rover Had Many Specialized Variants

The Land Rover was produced in several variants.

The Land Rover 101 Forward Control was the first “military-specific” variant developed, and it featured a distinctive, boxy appearance for carrying troops and cargo. The Series I was updated as the Series II and Series III, providing reliable transport and serving in a reconnaissance role.

The Defender Wolf model was developed with enhanced off-road capabilities.

Other variants included the Series IIA Ambulance, which could carry four stretchers and a medic; the Series IIA “Pink Panther,” which was developed for use by the Special Air Service (SAS) for conducting long-distance reconnaissance and distant missions; and the Amphibious SIIA 109, a prototype version that could be used for amphibious landings.

The V8 Centaur Multirole Half-Track was produced by combining the front section of a Land Rover with a track from a Scorpion light tank for use in more rugged terrain.

The UK Still Doesn’t Know What’s Replacing the Land Rover

Even as the end is near for the Land Rover, the British Army still doesn’t have a set replacement. Instead, several candidates are now offering prototypes for the UK military’s Light Mobility Vehicle (LMV) program.

Current contenders include General Dynamics Land Systems-UK, partnered with Ricardo; Team LionsStrike, with GM Defense, BAE Systems, and NP Aerospace; Rheinmetall and Babcock Land; Portsmouth Aviation; and AM General & Marshal Land Systems.

At least 3,000 vehicles will be part of a contract award, which could be made later this year.

The British Army has also announced it will eventually sell off its Land Rovers, with prices to be determined by condition and specialization. Perhaps some of those old British Army Land Rovers could even make their way to the USA!

About the Author: Peter Suciu

Peter Suciu has contributed to dozens of newspapers, magazines and websites over a 30-year career in journalism. He regularly writes about military hardware, firearms history, cybersecurity, politics, and international affairs. Peter is also a contributing writer for Forbes and Clearance Jobs. He is based in Michigan. You can follow him on Twitter: @PeterSuciu. You can email the author: Editor@nationalinterest.org.

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