The UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) has issued a request for information (RFI) to develop a Light Mobility Vehicle (LMV) to replace the aging Land Rover and Pinzgauer fleets.
The new LMV is expected to support protected drive and tactical missions as the legacy systems are retired by the 2030s.
Details of the Light Mobility Vehicle Project
The exact number of LMVs required has not been disclosed, but a 2022 UK defense document revealed that the military operated approximately 7,800 Land Rover and Pinzgauer vehicles, indicating a significant procurement effort. The RFI also includes in-service support and training to ensure operational readiness for future crews.
Timeline for LMV Procurement
The LMV initiative is part of the broader Land Mobility Program, announced in 2024, which aims to replace over a dozen types of military vehicles. The program will begin accepting system proposals in late 2025, with selected vehicles to be announced by the end of 2026.
In addition to LMVs, the program will procure 500 heavy vehicles (up to 40,000 kilograms) and 2,000 medium vehicles (up to 20,000 kilograms). LMVs, designed for agility and tactical support, will weigh between 7,000 and 10,000 kilograms.
Parallel Development: Light Tactical Mobility Platform
The MoD is also running a separate program, the Light Tactical Mobility Platform, which focuses on acquiring smaller, more agile vehicles. This effort will supply over 150 utility terrain and all-terrain vehicles capable of carrying a minimum weight of 270 kilograms and traveling at least 40 kilometers per hour. These vehicles will also be certified for use on UK roads.
Modernizing the UK’s Military Vehicle Fleet
Both the LMV project and the Light Tactical Mobility Platform reflect the UK government’s commitment to modernizing its military vehicle fleet to meet evolving operational demands. These initiatives will ensure the British Armed Forces are equipped with state-of-the-art vehicles capable of handling diverse terrains and mission requirements.
