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15 Sep 25. UK LMV Contenders Displayed at DSEI UK 2025. As the December 2025 Estimated Tender Date for UK LMV inches closer, probable and possible contenders displayed vehicles last week at DSEI UK, reports Bob Morrison. Until the UK MoD hosts its final pre-tender meeting, believed scheduled for the second half of November, and their final bids are submitted many of the main contenders are quite naturally playing their hand comparatively close to the chest. However any company not displaying any vehicles suitable for the forthcoming LMV (Light Mobility Vehicle) category at the UK’s premier defence exposition of 2025 could be perceived as not looking to mount a serious bid, so I reckon the next UK Forces’ light utility vehicle should be somewhere on this page.
Twelve months ago DVD (Defence Vehicle Dynamics) 2024 at Millbrook Proving Ground was effectively the launchpad for UK LMV, so there were few real surprises at DSEI UK 2025. However the appearance of the KIA TASMAN in London was possibly unexpected by some, though with other South Korean companies making major inroads on the Northern European defence contracts side, plus KIA’s heavier KLTV also now entering NATO service, the appearance of the TASMAN in London’s Docklands should possibly not have come as a surprise.
The following six vehicles, along with armoured and weapons platform variants, are in my opinion probably the main LMV contenders, though I wouldn’t place any bets on which one will finally be picked or even if UK MoD will actually order the several thousand replacement vehicles originally envisioned:-
- General Dynamics Land Systems or GDLS, who announced last September that they would offer Ford Ranger for UK LMV, displayed a four-door Ford Ranger SUPER DUTY pickup with an ST Engineering 120mm mobile mortar system on the back.
- GM Defense, who have formed Team LionStrike with BAE Systems and NP Aerospace, displayed their GSUP or General Support Utility Platform based on the Chevrolet S10 Work Truck (aka Colorado)
- KIA Motors, as mentioned above, displayed their new TASMANmid-size pickup truck in four-door configuration.
- Although INEOS did not have a stand at DSEI, a variant of the Grenadier Quartermastermilitarised by SMT Defence was presented with company backing and a second Grenadier was displayed by German armourers STOOF International.
- The Mercedes-Benz G-classwas represented at DSEI by Rheinmetall, who had both a militarised five-door station wagon and a CARACAL Air Assault Vehicle on their stand.
- Babcock Land presented two of their General Logistic Vehicleconversions, based on the Toyota Land Cruiser.
There were, of course, other 4×4 light vehicles displayed at DSEI UK 2025, with the Polaris MRZR and AM General SABER being just two that immediately spring to mind, but these are not logical substitutes for the range of Land Rover and Pinzgauer platforms that UK MoD desperately needs to replace with its LMV requirement. No doubt there will be other bidders for this contract in the running, but I didn’t spot any displayed at DSEI this year which struck me as serious potential contenders. When we get the opportunity, either Carl or myself will bring updates on the above vehicles if/when sufficient information is made available. Finally, I now hope the seat-polishing stops soon and a speedy order is placed to replace vehicles which have mostly served for double their intended lifespan and for which OEM spares have been long out of production. (Source: joint-forces.com)
15 Sep 25. Rheinmetall UK unveiled its Light Tactical Vehicle for the UK MoD Land Mobility Vehicle (LMV) requirement at DSEI 2025 in London, reports Bob Morrison. In a press release issued to coincide with the 09 September unveiling of its UK Light Tactical Vehicle at DSEI, Rheinmetall stated: “The platform is a mission-ready solution designed to meet the Land Mobility Vehicle (LMV) requirement within the Land Mobility Programme (LMP). The vehicle has been specifically engineered to meet UK operational requirements. With a projected in-service lifespan of over 10 years, it is backed by comprehensive OEM support, ensuring long-term reliability and through-life value.
“The platform is integrated and supported in the United Kingdom, with approximately 50% of the platform’s content sourced from British suppliers. The capability will support over 800 skilled jobs and apprenticeships across engineering, manufacturing, and the wider supply chain. The design has been carefully adapted in the UK to meet British Army requirements, ensuring performance and resilience in demanding mission environments.
“The platform shares a common base with Rheinmetall’s Caracal family (in industrial cooperation) offering flexibility, interoperability, and efficiencies across the Land Mobility Programme, and supporting the ambitions of the UK’s Land Industrial Strategy.
“The unveiling at DSEI 2025 reinforces Rheinmetall UK’s commitment to innovation, sovereign capability, and industrial growth, while demonstrating the tactical advantage and versatility of its mobility solutions to the UK and allied forces worldwide.”
John Abunassar, CEO of Rheinmetall UK, is quoted as saying: “This programme represents Rheinmetall UK’s commitment to delivering value, capability, and operational readiness to the British Army. It is a mission-ready, sustainable solution built with and for the United Kingdom.”
As can be seen from the accompanying images taken at DSEI UK 2025, the basic Rheinmetall UK Light Tactical Vehicle is based on the current Mercedes-Benz G-464 model, now called the G-class but previously known as the Gelandewägen or G-wagen. Of five-door BA06 Station Wagon configuration, with the rear side windows blanked off, the displayed four-seat vehicle had been heavily militarised with with communications and other specialist equipment.
There has been chatter on social media about the quoted ‘projected in-service lifespan of over 10 years’ and comparison with the current in-service Land Rover Defender ‘Wolf’ fleet and some of the Pinzgauer fleet having served for over 25 and 30 years respectively. However it should be borne in mind both that the projected 10-year service life is based on initial MoD requirements, not the possible and/or probable lifespan of the vehicle if selected for UK LMV, and also that the 1990s requirement for the TUL/TUM and TUM [HD] (i.e. Defender Wolf and Pinzgauer) was for a projected in-service lifespan of 15 and not 30 years; many military G-wagens dating from the 1980s and 1990s are still in military service, often with a second user nation.
Comments have also been passed about the displayed Rheinmetall LTV being Left Hand Drive for Right Hand Traffic, when of course most vehicles in the UK are RHD for LHT, but this configuration is purely because one-off demonstrator vehicles built for defence expos are usually based upon standard production models to both keep costs down and allow reuse at other shows. At the late 2021 launch of the G-464 in Austria I specifically asked the question about RHD availability and was told this was not only a future possibility but was most likely to be introduced a little further down the line. It should also be borne in mind that the in-service UK Forces Land Rover Defender model (aka Wolf or TUM HS) was procured in both RHD and LHD variants to meet both peacetime and operational needs.
The second vehicle displayed at DSEI UK 2025 based on the Mercedes-Benz G-464 chassis was a Caracal 4×4 Air Assault Vehicle conversion, produced in cooperation with Mercedes-Benz AG and ACS Armored Car Systems GmbH, similar to the vehicle ordered in July 2023 for German and Dutch rapid reaction forces. This demonstrator, configured as an R-WMIK replacement, was displayed with a supplementary armour package; for a fully armoured UK MoD LMV requirement (to replace Defender-based CAV-100 ‘Snatch’ and VIXEN categories) Rheinmetall would be able to supply a similar vehicle to those already in service on the earlier G-461 chassis.
Although Rheinmetall have produced a technical data sheet for the in-production Caracal variant, the company has not yet released specification details for the utility version of its forthcoming UK LMV submissions; this is unsurprising, as at time of writing final tender requirements have not yet been publicised by UK MoD. (Source: joint-forces.com)
17 Sep 25. BAE Systems presented three BvS10 Armored Personnel Carriers for Sweden, Germany, and the United Kingdom during a ceremonial delivery – providing their Armies with unrivalled mobility through the BvS10 Collaborative All-Terrain Vehicle (CATV) program.
“The extreme mobility capabilities offered by the BvS10, and the multiple uses that it enables, provides the user nations with a reliable, high tech and modern capability that is instantly ready for missions in the harshest environments,” said Tommy Gustafsson-Rask, managing director of BAE Systems Hägglunds.
“And because of the streamlined procurement model, nations will easily be able to join seamlessly and receive the advanced capabilities the BvS10 provides.”
The vehicles are based on the latest version of the BvS10 currently operated by Sweden, and includes variants for troop transport, logistics, medical evacuation, recovery, and command and control. They are the first of a total of 663 to be procured under a landmark framework agreement, which sets a new standard for joint procurement. Through separate Purchase Order Agreements (PoA) placed under the same framework agreement, 236 BvS10s will be delivered to the Swedish Defense Materiel Administration (FMV), 60 to the United Kingdom Ministry of Defence (MoD), and 140 to the German Federal Ministry of Defence (BAAINBw) by 2028.
Under the same framework, an additional PoA for 227 more BvS10 vehicles were contracted by Germany, demonstrating the success of the contractual set up which provides the opportunity for more nations to procure vehicles under the same arrangement.
The BvS10 is world-leading when it comes to all-terrain solutions. The articulated mobility system provides optimal maneuverability across varying terrains to traverse snow, ice, rock, sand, mud or swamps, as well as steep mountain environments. The vehicle’s amphibious feature also allows it to swim in flooded areas or coastal waters. It can deliver personnel and supplies to sustain strategic, tactical, and operational mobility. The vehicle’s unrivaled mobility is based on terrain accessible North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) standards. Its modular design allows it to be reconfigured for varying missions and can be delivered in multiple variants that include carrying personnel, command and control, ambulance, vehicle repair and recovery, logistics support, situational awareness, and a weapons carrier with additional mortar capability. BvS10 is currently operated by Austria, France, the Netherlands, Sweden, and the United Kingdom.
17 Sep 25. UK’s Land Mobility Programme (LMP), more of the same? DSEI showed a number of key offerings for the UK LMP from Mercedes/Rheinmetall, Ford, IDV, NP/GM and Babcock amongst others. However are we going down the same jam tomorrow route as previous iterations of LMP including OUVS, with the MoD promising big numbers and delivering nothing? Already delayed to next year, LMP is looking to collide with the out of service date of the Land Rover Wolf in 2030.
The current schedule is tight as one supplier told BATTLESPACE at DSEI.
- a) RFI – 2026
- b) RFP – Late 2026, early 2027.
- c) Downselect – 2028.
- d) Trials and final selection – 2029
- e) IoC – 2030
Then there is the issue of electric vs petrol/diesel vehicles in 2030.
BATTLESPACE’s analysis of LMP sees a much reduced order from 7000 to around 3500 of the basic vehicle which at over 3.5 tonnes requires a Category C licence and thus driver training which could be fulfilled by a White Fleet Buy from Babcock with incremental buys of such vehicles as the GM/NP ISV through the NATO Framework procurement agency, in a similar fashion to the recent procurement of 124 Polaris vehicles for the Royal Marines. Expect the lure to continue to and after DVD for those companies to display their vehicles capability on the Test Track at Millbrook.
16 Sep 25. The UK’s Land Mobility Programme (LMP) seems set to be delayed once again but industry is jockeying for position to partner in what would be one of the biggest ever buys for the British Army. The UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) was due to issue a Request for Information (RFI) in November, but Shephard understands that this will be delayed, with multiple industry players now anticipating an RFI in the new year. The LMP is currently divided into three categories: Light Mobility Vehicle (LMV), Light Protected Mobility (LPM), and Medium Protected Mobility (MPM). Looking to consolidate 13 vehicle types into a single platform per category, with ideally a high degree of domestic manufacturing, the programme will cover the procurement of potentially 10,000 vehicles. With an estimated £3.7bn (US$5.1bn) worth of contracts to be awarded across the three categories, it is one of the UK’s largest unawarded programmes. A big challenge for companies positioning their vehicles on the starting line is that many of the requirements are not solidified.
Four companies line up for LMV
The smallest of the three categories, the LMV is intended to replace the UK’s ageing fleet of Land Rovers and Pinzgauers, of which Shephard believes there are at least 6,000.
MoD requirements state that LMV contenders must have a maximum gross vehicular weight (GVW) of 3,500kg. The largest of the LMP components, intended to replace the oldest fleet of vehicles in UK service, work on the LMV commenced in January 2025 when the MoD launched a Preliminary Market Engagement (PME) exercise to explore the possibility of acquiring an off-the-shelf solution.
There are currently four competitors bidding for the LMV: Babcock, Team Lionstrike, Thales and Rheinmetall.
Babcock is bidding with the General Logistics Vehicle (GLV), a militarised Toyota Land Cruiser 70. There had been a threat to this effort with Toyota trying to step back from involvement in a military programme but negotiations between the two companies led to a change of tack allowing the platform to remain in the process.
With an established presence in the UK, Babcock is aiming to provide a light multipurpose vehicle specifically designed for the LMV. It is also offering the GLV on a joint ticket with the Patria 6×6 in the MPM category.
Team Lionstrike consists of GM Defense, NP Aerospace and BAE Systems. Collectively, they are offering the General Support Utility Platform (GSUP) unveiled at DSEI earlier this month. The vehicle is a variant of GM’s Infantry Squad Vehicle which is already in service with the US and Canadian militaries. The GSUP weighs 3,500kg and features a modular design intended to allow it to perform a range of mission types.
Team Lionstrike intends to leverage its existing UK facilities through NP and BAE as well as GM’s global logistics network, with the aim of quickly delivering a platform with a high percentage of UK-sourced content.
Thales is believed to be offering the Hawkei as a contender for both the LMV and LPM. Hawkei is currently being operated by the Australian army. With a gross vehicle weight of 10,400kg in certain configurations, however, it would be significantly heavier than the MoD’s stated requirements and thus unlikely to be successful within the current LMP framework.
Rheinmetall is offering both the Caracal and a Caracal derivative, currently unnamed but referred to as a new tactical vehicle at DSEI 2025, as joint contenders for the LMV.
The lightest Caracal configuration weighs 3,200kg, with the new model believed to be a similar weight, thus coming in below the MoD’s weight limit for the LMV.
Rheinmetall has developed the new tactical vehicle with a ‘UK-first’ approach in mind, by treating the PME in January 2025 as an RFI and designing the vehicle specifically for the UK.
This approach includes sourcing 50% of the components from the UK and tailoring its specifications to British Army needs, including a modular rifle compartment designed for the SA80, which can be easily replaced to accommodate the finalised Project Grayburn.
Rheinmetall is also hoping to leverage the recently signed Trinity House Treaty between the UK and Germany to improve the attractiveness of a German vehicle manufactured in the UK.
Replacing canines and a big cat
Initially launched at DVD 2024, the LPM aims to replace a wide variety of vehicles, including Panther, Foxhound, Coyote, Husky and Jackal 2/3. With a maximum vehicular weight of 10,000kg, the LMP will replace approximately 2,000 vehicles.
There are five contenders believed to be interested in the LMP: Thales, Supacat, Urovesa, AM General and NP Aerospace, and NMS UK.
As mentioned before, Thales is believed to be offering the Hawkei for the LPM as well as the LMV. Its weight would indicate that it has a better chance with the LPM than the LMV, as certain configurations would be within the MoD’s stated requirements.
Additionally, Thales is also offering the Bushmaster in the MPM category, allowing it to present the MoD with logistical savings by opting for a joint ticket approach.
Supacat is offering three platforms for the LPM: the HMT 400, the HMT 600 and the Armoured Closed Cab (ACC). Both the HMT 400 and 600 are currently in UK service and so Supacat is aiming to build on this by offering newer variants of existing kit.
The ACC was designed with the LPM in mind, intended as a modular platform that can perform a range of functions as required. While Supacat does have the advantage that its platforms are already in service and are thus a known quantity, three different vehicles for the same category seems counterintuitive to the MoD’s goal of simplification by selecting one platform per category.
While not officially confirmed, Urovesa is believed to be interested in offering the VAMTAC LTV as a contender. However Urovesa does not have an established relationship with the British military and it is unclear how it would provide the high degree of UK domestic production that the MoD is looking for in the LMP.
AM General is offering the JLTV as a possible contender.
The latest variant of the vehicle, the JLTV A2, was displayed at DSEI 2025 and despite the ongoing controversy over the US Department of Defense (DoD)’s decision to cancel the JLTV, AM General maintains orders until 2027 and remains confident about the JLTVs future.
However, given the controversy and AM General’s existing order catalogue, the MoD seeks a more stable solution that has a quicker delivery time.
The final contender is NMS UK, the UK division of Turkey’s Nurol Makina. A relative newcomer to UK defence, NMS UK intends to bid for both the LPM and MPM, offering the Lurcher, a variant of the Yöruk, as a possible LPM platform and the Dragon for the MPM.
While at 10,400kg it is also above current MoD requirements, its modular nature could allow it to be adapted to better suit UK needs. As a sign of its long-term intentions, NMS UK has established a facility near Leamington Spa to produce the Lurcher and Dragon for both the UK and export. It intends to initially source 20% of the components from the UK, with the aim of increasing this to between 50% and 60% in the future.
Bigger and better protected
MPM is intended to replace heavier vehicles like the Mastiff, Wolfhound and Ridgeback. These vehicles are designed to defeat threats such as improvised explosive devices and rocket-propelled grenade threat environments. They will replace approximately 1,400 vehicles and have a gross vehicle weight of 20,000kg. However, Shephard believes that this will be reduced to 18,500kg to allow the selected platform to be air deployable.
There are six contenders for the MPM: Thales, Patria and Babcock, Supacat, NMS UK, KNDS and IDV UK.
As mentioned previously, Thales is also offering the Bushmaster for the MPM category. Already in service in small numbers with UK special forces, the Bushmaster would be at the lighter end of the spectrum at 11,000kg.
Being a known quantity is a benefit for Thales, as is the ability to up-armour the Bushmaster to meet additional requirements. Thales currently has a hot production line that the UK could join in late 2026, until domestic production is ready.
Patria is offering the Patria 6×6 developed under the Common Armoured Vehicle System (CAVS). At IDV 2025, Patria signed an agreement with Babcock to jointly provide the Patria 6×6, with Babcock acting a UK domestic manufacturer.
At DSEI 2025, it was confirmed that the UK had officially joined CAVS technical group, but had not yet agreed to purchase the Patria 6×6.
Utilising existing facilities, Babcock is confident that it could deliver the Patria 6×6 in a similar time frame to Denmark, which signed an agreement in July 2025 and received its first delivery in September 2025. It also believes it could provide over 50% UK content with local assembly.
Babcock and Patria also think the Patria 6×6 could fulfil other UK requirements, such as an armoured mortar carrier with Patria’s NEMO, and Ground Based Air Defence/Short Range Air Defence (GBAD/SHORAD) through the installation of higher-calibre cannons.
Additionally, the Patria 6×6 is already in use with several other NATO countries, offering enhanced interoperability with the UK’s allies.
At 24,000kg, the Patria 6×6 would be too heavy for current MoD requirements. However, it would fit within a heavy protected mobility category, should one materialise, or could still fit depending on the eventual requirement.
Supacat is also offering its ACC for the MPM. The platform’s modular nature allows it to fulfil various roles, so it could be configured with heavier armour and the capacity to transport heavier roles.
Selecting the ACC for both LPM and MPM would provide a degree of logistical simplicity but would potentially require Supacat to increase its production capacity to meet the requirements for both categories.
Again, as mentioned above, NMS UK is offering the Dragon, a variant of its Ejder Yalçın for the MPM. With a factory already in place and the potential for a high degree of domestic manufacture, NMS UK is also well placed to offer a potential double ticket.
KNDS is offering the Dingo 3. The latest iteration of the Dingo family, KNDS is also hoping that the Trinity House treaty will provide a boost for German manufacturers working in the UK. The newest of the contenders, the Dingo 3, was recently ordered by the Bundeswehr but has not entered operation with any other military.
Finally, IDV UK is offering the Medium Tactical Vehicle (MTV). Weighing 12,000kg and with the modular capacity to be configured as needed, the MTV would be ideally suited for an air-deployable medium vehicle.
However, while IDV UK does have a domestic truck-making facility, production could be primarily based in Italy, potentially placing it at a disadvantage to its competitors that offer higher domestic production possibilities.
The shadow of heavy mobility
The LMP previously contained a heavy mobility category weighing between 20,000 kg and 40,000kg, which seemed almost exclusively to replace Bulldog.
However, this was subsequently dropped, leaving the MoD with a capability gap that would need to be addressed. Following DSEI 2025, Shephard now understands that the heavy mobility component of the LMP is back under consideration.
Shephard believes there are three possible contenders currently positioning themselves to bid for a heavy mobility requirement: BAE Systems, Patria and Babcock, and IDV UK.
At DSEI 2025, BAE exhibited the C2 variant of the Armoured Multi-Purpose Vehicle (AMPV). This was the first time that the AMPV C2 had been exhibited in Europe. Currently replacing the US Army’s M113, the AMPV includes general purpose, C2 and medical evacuation variants.
This, combined with its tracked nature, would make it a logical contender for a Bulldog, albeit somewhat larger and heavier. Shephard understands that this was its primary purpose for being displayed at DSEI 2025.
The Patria 6×6 would be too heavy for the current MPM, but it would fit within a potential heavy mobility category. While it could serve as a medical transport and C2 platform, a potential requirement could also be to provide recce support for the UK’s artillery regiments, a role traditionally performed by a tracked vehicle.
Shephard also understands that IDV UK is interested in offering the Superav 8×8, currently in service with the Italian Army, as a contender for a potential heavy mobility category.
The Superav can be configured as a C2, recovery or medivac vehicle, all potential requirements for the category. However, as with the Patria 6×6, it is wheeled rather than tracked and so may be at a disadvantage compared to other competitors.
LMP – an ephemeral programme?
With the programme likely to be delayed again, the requirements for each category still not confirmed and the heavy category back in focus, the LMP remains as ill-defined as it was when it was first announced. Industry is definitely interested in the LMP, an enthusiasm not reflected in the prevarication by the MoD. (Source: Shephard)
16 Sep 25. Curtiss-Wright Selected by Rheinmetall to Provide Power Management Technology for the Skyranger Mobile Ground-Based Air Defense System. Curtiss-Wright today announced that it has been selected by Rheinmetall Air Defence to provide power management technology in support of the lightweight Oerlikon Skyranger® mobile ground-based air defense system. Under the contract, Curtiss-Wright will provide Rheinmetall with its ruggedized, state-of-the-art power management technology and gyroscopes to help control the mobile air defense system’s lightweight turret. The Skyranger, which can be deployed against air and ground targets at short range, is equipped with state-of-the-art search and tracking sensors which provide seamless 360° air and ground surveillance and accurate fire control data. The system has the capability to be integrated with numerous ground defense platforms, such as the Boxer, Lynx, and Pandur vehicles. Work under this agreement will be performed by Curtiss-Wright Defense Solutions.
“We are pleased to build on our very successful partnership with Rheinmetall, supporting such platforms as the German Boxer and Hungarian Lynx, and we value their selection of our rugged power management technology and gyroscopes to help control the lightweight turret on this important Skyranger mobile ground-based air defense system,” said Brian Perry, Senior Vice President and General Manager, Curtiss-Wright Defense Solutions. “This contract, our first in support of this critical air defense platform, results from our industry-leading capability to quickly deliver cost-effective power management technology for demanding turret drive applications.” (Source: ASD Network)
16 Sep 25. Tyron Runflat Triumphs at DSEI UK with Industry-Leading Innovations. Tyron Runflat made a significant impact at DSEI UK 2025, officially unveiling two of its latest innovations and securing its first order within the opening hour of the exhibition. The dual launch attracted the attention of innovators from across the defence industry at the leading defence show of the year, held at Excel London. With over 45,000 attendees and more than 1,600 exhibitors, Tyron stood shoulder-to-shoulder with global allies. Exhibitors shared their market-leading systems, including Tyron as it launched two new systems – the lightest single-piece runflat and a discreet defence wheel. The lightweight system is the first of its kind, providing an eco-friendly alternative to traditional, heavier runflat systems. The flagship event offered Tyron the perfect backdrop to launch its latest innovations and deliver a highly successful showcase, gathering overwhelmingly positive feedback from its target audience. Within just one hour of the show opening its doors, Tyron had already secured its first order.
Peter Simson, Director at Tyron Runflat comments: “The response was incredible at DSEI this year. It was great to again attend this industry leading show, offering opportunity, collaboration and cooperation, but this year was made truly special as we received such wonderful feedback to our latest launches. To have secured our first order so early on in the show was a really positive start and from there, we really went from strength to strength.
“It was fantastic to have a strong and growing Tyron team in attendance, including our Business Development Director, Mohamed Elnady. We’re constantly focusing on our next innovations, looking to provide the most reliable runflat solutions for our customers. We’re always looking at where we can ease pain points for our customers, so we’re delighted to have had such a positive response to our latest innovations.
“We’ve focused on the weight and eco-friendly properties of our recent systems, to ensure vehicles can be handled better in the event of a blowout or puncture. Our single-piece rubber runflat vehicles have a lower unsprung weight which allows it to react quickly to road imperfections, maintaining better tyre contact.
“Having attended DSEI UK for over 10 years, we’ve seen first-hand the progress across the defence industry which means we remain focused on staying one step ahead with our tyre safety solutions. We received overwhelmingly positive feedback, customers were particularly pleased with the eco-friendly materials, the longevity of our solutions and how easy it is to get installed.”
Plugging the gap in tyre safety for the defence sector, Tyron also launched a new defence wheel which hides the runflat bolts on the outside of the wheel, meaning its life-saving capabilities can be hidden from enemy eyes in a dangerous warzone.
DSEI UK offered Tyron a valuable opportunity to reinforce its strong connections within the defence sector, meeting with customers both existing and new. Over the year, Tyron Runflat has made it its mission to provide industry-leading safety solutions, supporting the defence industry to keep vehicles moving and soldiers safe. The Tyron Bands lock the deflated tyres on the wheel, allowing the vehicle to keep moving to a place of safety.
“With over 30 years of experience in the defence sector, we recognise the challenges this industry faces from supply chain vulnerabilities and the need for digital transformation to budget constraints, longer procurement cycles and attracting talent,” Peter added. “Speaking with our target audience face-to-face at this year’s DSEI event really solidified the importance of our latest innovations. In an industry which really is a matter of life and death, as soldiers are faced with life-threatening situations daily, it highlights the important role innovation plays, to ensure people remain as safe as possible.”
16 Sep 25. Cameroon military acquires light tactical vehicles, rescue boats. Cameroon’s military has taken delivery of 172 newly acquired vehicles, including 104 Land Cruiser BJ light tactical vehicles, three Toyota Land Cruiser 300 VX and 29 Toyota Fortuner 4x4s, to boost the operational efficiency of different services of the country’s military. The delivery, which took place at Air Base 101 in Yaounde on 4 September, according to defence ministry officials, also included 21 six-metre and 10-metre boats meant for maritime rescue operations, as well as 36 of a total of 227 Renault- and Peugeot-brand firefighting trucks and related equipment destined for the national firefighting brigade. The boats are made from aluminium alloy and powered by Yamaha outboard motors of 50 and 150 horsepower, said Colonel Japhet Sylvain Ondanga, Director in charge of joint military equipment at the defence ministry.
All the vehicles and equipment are supplied by France’s specialised vehicle manufacturer Desautel Group, and discussions for the supply of a second consignment are said to be underway.
The service vehicles were acquired with funds from the Cameroon government estimated at about FCFA 32 bn ($53.5 m), while the firefighting equipment was financed through a loan from the French Treasury of a similar amount.
The Minister Delegate at the Presidency in charge of Defence, Joseph Beti Assomo, who presided at the handover ceremony, underscored the importance of the vehicles, noting that they will substantially contribute to the operational efficiency of the beneficiary personnel and the army as a whole.
Assomo said the acquisition of the new military gear is in line with the desire of the Head of State and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Paul Biya, to modernise the defence and security forces and keep their operational and logistical capabilities in line with contemporary standards.
“It is part of an overall drive to modernise equipment and reinforce our national defence system. These acquisitions are intended to improve the operational capacity of our soldiers and units in response to ever-increasing security demands,” he stated during the ceremony.
“This significant consignment of equipment was acquired in part thanks to funding granted by BPI France on behalf of the French Treasury, for a total of more than FCFA 32 bn. To date, 172 vehicles have already been delivered,” Assomo said.
“This ceremony also offers us the opportunity to showcase 136 other brand-new vehicles, including 29 official and service vehicles and 104 Land Cruiser BJ light tactical vehicles, selected samples of which are also displayed here today,” he added.
“Priority will be given to replacing outdated vehicles with new ones. Additional acquisitions are already planned, so it is unnecessary to overwhelm the offices of the Chief of Staff or the Minister with repeated requests,” he appealed.
Cameroon has faced serious security challenges in recent years, and the military has been trying to meet the exigencies by strengthening its logistical capacity through the acquisition of vehicles and other vital equipment to boost its operational readiness.
In 2021, the National Gendarmerie received equipment, including DJI Phantom drones, rifles and accessories, 100 bullet-resistant jackets, 50 heavy armour helmets, and six pairs of binoculars, among others, to be used in the fight against terrorism.(Source: https://www.defenceweb.co.za/)
15 Sep 25. Mali receives more CS/VP14 and VN22 vehicles from China. Mali’s military has taken delivery of another batch of military hardware from China, with the latest consignment including CS/VP14 armoured personnel carriers and VN22 fire support vehicles. Media reports suggest a total of 160 armoured vehicles are being acquired from China’s Norinco, with at least 24 CS/VP14s, six VN22B fire support vehicles, nine VN22 armoured personnel carriers (APCs), two CS/SH1 (PCL-09) truck-mounted 122 mm howitzers, three CTL-181A light tactical vehicles and two boats arriving in September.
Videos showed at least six CS/VP14 and what were most likely six VN22B fire support vehicles (equipped with 105 mm guns) as well as several VN22 armoured personnel carriers fitted with turrets arriving in Mali in addition to at least two boats and several truck-mounted howitzers.
During the trip from Conakry, on 1 September one of the transporter vehicles collided with a civilian vehicle in Guinea, killing three people. Photos showed a damaged transporter loaded with two CS/VP14s.
In late July/early August, the Malian Armed Forces (FAMA) took delivery of a batch of CS/VP14 APCs via Guinea. In addition to the CS/VP14s, which arrived in Bamako on 2 August, several transporter vehicles were seen carrying what appeared to be Dongfeng EQ2050 multi-purpose wheeled vehicles, but in smaller numbers than the CS/VP14s.
The 4×4 CS/VP14 is a relatively new vehicle, entering mass production in late 2023, according to Chinese media. It is able to carry ten soldiers and two crew members. It is STANAG 4569 level 3b certified, which means it can withstand a blast of up to 8 kg of TNT under the hull and 16 kg of TNT under each wheel. It can also protect crews from 7.62 mm armour piercing ammunition. The CS/VP14 is apparently powered by a six cylinder Deutz engine with 331 horsepower, giving a top speed of over 105 km/h. It is also in service with the Kenya Army and Burkina Faso (the latter received at least 40 Norinco VP11, 50 CS/VP14 armoured vehicles, and 17 Caterpillar excavators in June 2024).
In September 2024, Mali signed a contract with Norinco to provide unspecified military equipment, training, and a transfer of technology. The agreement was signed by Mali’s Defence Minister Sadio Camara and the head of Norinco in Beijing. It is likely the CS/VP14 and VN22 delivery is part of that contract.
China has supplied equipment to Mali in the past to help its battle against militant groups. Notably, in December 2021 it commissioned at least six Norinco VN2C infantry fighting vehicles along with around 50 Kia KM450 military trucks, Dongfeng EQ2050 multi-purpose wheeled vehicles, a dozen BRDM-2 amphibious scout cars, eight BTR-70 8×8 amphibious armoured personnel carriers, and six Puma M36 APCs.
In early 2023, Mali commissioned Norinco VP11 APCs and Lynx CS/VP11 all-terrain vehicles, fitted with 12.7 mm machinegun turrets; IAG Guardian 4×4 armoured personnel carriers, KIA and Toyota utility vehicles, and modernised BRDM-2, BTR-60 and BTR-70 armoured vehicles. A convoy of at least eight VP11 and 25 Lynx CS/VP11 vehicles was seen in Mali ahead of commissioning.
Mali is known to have been operating the EQ2050 Mengshi vehicles for reconnaissance and troop transport since at least January 2020. They were seen in a military parade then along with Streit Typhoons and Paramount Marauders, although the Marauders were first seen in September 2019 during another parade. It is believed around 19 of the latter were acquired, and 35 Typhoons delivered from the United Arab Emirates. The UAE also donated 30 Streit Cougar APCs to combat Islamist militants in the Sahel.
These joined 13 Aarqus Bastions handed over to Mali in January 2020 for its contribution to the Sahel G5 Joint Force. They were transferred by the European Union Training Mission Mali.
Around 30 Puma M36 vehicles are believed to have been supplied to Mali via South Africa’s OTT Technologies and apparently funded by Germany. The M36 is an evolutionary development of the proven M26 and weights between 11 and 14 tons depending on the level of protection. Puma M36s have been supplied to Somalia and Burkina Faso, amongst others.
Mali now operates a wide and diverse array of armoured vehicles, with many donated by foreign countries to help Mali combat terrorism in the region. (Source: https://www.defenceweb.co.za/)
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