British troops to be equipped with 'SAS-style' powerful pick-up trucks after £2billion investment approved by defence ministers
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British troops are to be equipped with 'SAS-style' powerful pick-up trucks which can deploy rapidly behind enemy lines.
Defence ministers have approved a £2 billion procurement to replace the Army's veteran Land Rover fleet with more powerful trucks that can be used to operate drones and deploy electronic eavesdropping countermeasures.
Sources said that the new vehicles, which will also be heavily armed, evokes the 'glory days' of the SAS's daring WW2 raids behind enemy lines – as depicted in the BBC series 'SAS Rogue Heroes'.
Dubbed the 'Who Dares Wins' pick-ups after the SAS's famous motto, the new 'Light Military Vehicle' (LMV) project would also build on tactics used now by the Ukrainian army against Russian invaders.
Head of the British Army General Sir Roly Walker, himself a former SAS commander, reportedly plans to move away from conventional force doctrine and adopt unconventional 'shoot and scoot' tactics to meet the challenges of modern warfare.
As well as the pick-up variant of the LMV, a so-called 'infantry squad' vehicle has been designed which is lightweight and re-shaped so it can easily be lifted by helicopters and then dropped by parachute to support special forces missions.
One defence source said that next year, the Duke of Lancaster's Regiment will deploy to Estonia - just miles from the Russian frontline - and will become the first infantry regiment to operate with the new trucks which have been dubbed the 'Who Dares Wins' pick-ups.
Last night, former Army officer Jules Robson said: 'Moving away from tanks and adopting a light fast approach is a good move for today's battlefield environment.'
Defence ministers have approved a £2 billion procurement to replace the Army's veteran Land Rover (pictured) fleet with more powerful trucks that can be used to operate drones and deploy electronic eavesdropping counter measures
Sources said that the new vehicles, which will also be heavily armed, evokes the 'glory days' of the SAS's daring WW2 raids behind enemy lines
Chief of the General Staff General Sir Roly Walker
But he warned that tanks were still important.
He said: 'The thinking now is that the tank is dead in modern warfare, but instead people should be looking at how we use the tank, not just getting rid of it.
'Pick-ups are great but they cannot deliver the firepower of a main battle tank.'
But defence officials said that the new vehicles would provide the Army with a modern, robust capability that enabled multiple options in terms of payloads and mission systems
The first LMVs are set to be delivered in the next year, although no final contractor for the project has yet been selected by the Ministry of Defence from a shortlist of seven bidders.
Last night, an MoD spokesperson said: 'The Light Mobility Vehicle programme will put thousands of modern vehicles in the hands of British soldiers, strengthening our ability to fight and win while creating opportunities for British-based businesses.'
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