Filed under: Government/Legal, Military, UK
British Army replaces Land Rovers with US-made Ridgback
In response to a ratcheting body-count in Iraq and Afghanistan, the UK Ministry of Defence has ordered a fleet of 157 Ridgback armored vehicles. The Ridgback, made in the United States, was unveiled last week at a military vehicles exhibition in Millbrook, Bedfordshire in the UK.
Pictured in the illustration above, the Ridgback offers increased protection for personnel against mines and roadside bombs and will replace the Land Rover Defenders which the British Army currently has deployed in the field. The order is part of a larger £150 million contract to upgrade the army's motor pool in the Middle East. The vehicles will be equipped with weapons and communications systems as well as beefed-up armor. It is capable of carrying 12 people and is equipped with run-flat tires allowing it to travel at speeds of up to 55 mph on punctured rolling stock.
[Source: 4Car]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
why not the LS2LS7? 5:57PM (6/29/2008)
OMG. I don't think Ridgeback is a sufficiently ugly name for this thing.
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MajorGeek 6:07PM (6/29/2008)
Yes because you want to look hot when your in battle.
Matt 6:09PM (6/29/2008)
That's the British name for it. It's standard name is Cougar. Designed in South Africa and built in the US.
Just wait for the Obama/McCain, Iraq War, US-bashing comments to begin pouring in.
CORVETTE ZR1 5:59PM (6/29/2008)
Those are Sweet Rides. I Want One !!! how much are they ? lol...
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ImSteevin 6:04PM (6/29/2008)
"well, of course you're gonna get hop-ons..."
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Thedevil 6:08PM (6/29/2008)
Nice ride! can i get a bigger gun up top though?
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ckm 6:09PM (6/29/2008)
I'll take one in black, with dubs.
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Yar 6:12PM (6/29/2008)
Does it come with heated seats, or is that optional?
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Rocketboy 9:53AM (6/30/2008)
If you want the AM/FM radio, they force you to buy the heated seats.
That's how they get you.
Commuter 2:00PM (6/30/2008)
In Iraq all the seats are heated.
Everett 6:35PM (6/29/2008)
Damn! Just after I decided to abandon my "shark cage on wheels" idea! Doh!
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notYou 11:57PM (6/29/2008)
That "mesh" of sorts around the outside is primarily intended to defeat RPGs. If you can get them to detonate before they slam the body, they're practically ineffective.
DFN 6:54PM (6/29/2008)
Shame the Iconic Land Rovers are being replaced. Though Land Rovers really aren't up to the job of modern warfare.
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Blacksabre 7:37PM (6/29/2008)
The perfect choice for hunting anything Japanese-built on the Cross-Bronx, at 3 AM.
I'll take mine with the 25mm chain gun, and the optional refrigerator and microwave.
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TwinTurboVR4 7:44PM (6/29/2008)
looks pretty badass!
no protection for the guy manning the .50cal though :(
enclosed turret would be sweet!
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MKULTRABLIZZARD 7:57PM (6/29/2008)
it's probably manned by someone inside.
Yar 9:05PM (6/29/2008)
Definitely a remote turret.
Scott 8:00PM (6/29/2008)
Not that I'm thrilled about the mess over there, but it's about time troops were given vehicles which weren't rolling with armor equivalent to a can of tuna. Of course it will probably take a decade before these things actually see field duty, at which point it will probably cost too much to fuel them.
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Matt 8:33PM (6/29/2008)
They've been in the field since at least 2004
G-Meister 9:15PM (6/29/2008)
The MRAP does just that, but its a fair amount bigger still. The big advantage of the Land Rover over these is maneuverability.
As for fuel costs, the cost involved in supplying fuel into a combat situation makes a price increase from 3 to 4 or even 8 dollars insignificant. Of course, the value of one soldier protected can't even be compared.