Ford Ranger ready for battle as defence-ready variants previewed
As Ford attempts to secure the contract for the UK Ministry of Defence’s Light Mobility Vehicle programme, a handful of modified (and standard) Rangers have been showcased.
When modified Ford Rangers come to mind, you probably think of a dual-cab with a lift-kit driving off-road in Australia, but over in the UK, the Blue Oval brand is taking this a bit more seriously.
The UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) is currently taking applications for brands to compete in its Light Mobility Vehicle (LMV) programme, which prioritises using vehicles based on production models for defence service.
In conjunction with General Dynamics Land Systems and Ricardo, Ford’s UK division has assembled ‘The Team’, which has put forward a number of Ranger-based, defence-ready vehicles which it hopes will win the contract.
Immediately, the most striking Ranger on show is a 6x6 dual-cab version of the ute, developed by Ricardo and featuring hybrid power.
Unveiled back in late 2023 in Super-cab form – around the same time the factory-built Ranger PHEV was revealed – the Ranger HEX features an electric motor for its four rear wheels, providing an extra 210kW, on top of the 184kW from the 3.0-litre turbo-diesel V6 engine.
Previously Ricardo said the Ranger HEX could be optioned with a variety of battery pack sizes, and be able to carry up to 3800kg thanks to its De Dion-style rear axle.
In what can only be described as a victory for Ford Australia, the stock-standard Ranger Super Duty has also been pitched as a potential defence vehicle.
While the ‘T6’ platform underpinning the Ranger family was largely designed and engineered by Ford’s Australian team – with input from its global divisions – the Super Duty was initially pitched as a local-only product, which has since been announced as an addition to the Ford of Europe lineup.
Serving military customers aligns with Ford's commitment to building trucks made for the toughest jobs, while also supporting the company's strategy to grow its leadership in the commercial vehicle market,” Ford said.
“Together, they give the MoD a flexible and scalable vehicle platform, ready from the factory, that covers both light-duty and heavy-duty jobs.
However, Ford also showed off a number of Super Duty-based vehicles for defence use, some with additional armour (Enhanced Protection Vehicle), extra passenger capacity (Troop Carrying Vehicle), or sans bodywork (Light Tactical Vehicle).
"The UK Ministry of Defence requires uncompromised capability, scale, and absolute reliability from day one,” said Ford of Europe president, Jim Baumbick.
“Our commercial off-the-shelf Ford Ranger platform does just this. By marrying the most trusted and dominant truck platform in Europe, powered by an engine built in Dagenham, and the integration expertise of GDLS and Ricardo, we are able to offer an immediate, scalable, and UK-supported mobility platform.
Jordan Mulach
“Our team will give UK troops what they need to manoeuvre and win, while delivering, supply chain resilience and reinforcing the UK strategic industrial base.
“From the Second World War to the COVID-19 pandemic, Ford has always stood alongside the UK in times of need - we are answering the call to duty again today.”
Sadly these variants of the Ranger won’t be available to the public, though Ford has already shown the depth of its conversion capabilities through its Ford Pro division in Australia, providing customers with proven third-party contractors.
