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# Land Rover Defender ute takes on Ford Ranger
- URL: https://torquecafe.com/car-news-2026-land-rover-defender-ute-pickup-jlr-defence/
- Published: 2026-09-22T03:53:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-09-22T04:05:59.000Z
- Description: The Defender is trying to live up to its name, going back to its roots to potentially become a defence-ready vehicle.
- Author: Jordan Mulach
- Tags: News, 4x4 & Adventure

Trace the lineage of the Land Rover Defender far back enough and you’ll find the series models of the late 1940s to the mid-1980s, born out of inspiration from the World War II-era jeeps.

While the Defender is now a luxury product, Land Rover wants to show it can still go back to its battle-ready roots, revealing a trio of defence-prepared models, called the Defender Wolf Series II.

Developed by Jaguar Land Rover’s (JLR) new Defender Defence Division to compete for the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) Light Mobility Vehicle (LMV) tender, the three Defenders pose unique solutions to war-induced problems.

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/a9/b3/a9b3e204-3117-4792-9a32-46184029df44/content/images/2026/09/JLR_Defender_WOlf_SeriesII_Trials_Utility__02-1.jpg)

Land Rover Defender UV

The most eye-catching of the three is the Defender Utility Vehicle (UV), which sees the back end of the SUV chopped off and replaced by a tray.

Appearing to be based on the mid-length Defender 110 SUV, the UV incorporates a spare wheel carrier on its tray, which also includes a large rear overhang to maximise storage capability.

Its launch comes at an interesting time, as earlier this month [*The Times*](https://www.thetimes.com/business/companies-markets/article/jaguar-land-rover-unveil-us-pick-up-truck-with-stellantis-850s82lfr?ref=torquecafe.com) reported a [Defender ute will soon be unveiled for the US](https://torquecafe.com/car-news-2027-land-rover-defender-pickup-stellantis-ram-jeep/), where it’ll be made in a joint venture with Stellantis (parent company of Ram, Jeep, Dodge and Chrysler).

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/a9/b3/a9b3e204-3117-4792-9a32-46184029df44/content/images/2026/09/JLR_Defender_WOlf_SeriesII_Trials_Utility__10-1.jpg)

Land Rover Defender UV

This is also not the first time a modern Defender has been turned into a ute, [as in June](https://torquecafe.com/land-rover-defender-gets-luxury-ute-conversion/) the Widetrack Avontur Prototype was unveiled by Urban Automotive in the UK, though that example features an integrated tub rather than a cab-chassis style tray like the Defender UV.

In addition to the Defender UV, Land Rover revealed another pair of battle-ready Wolf Series II, the Tactical Mobility Vehicle (TMV), Mono‑Tactical Mobility Vehicle (M‑TMV).

Though not detailed, one of these variants is based on the Defender 110 but without its standard windscreen, doors and roof, while its seats have also been replaced, and one deleted.

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/a9/b3/a9b3e204-3117-4792-9a32-46184029df44/content/images/2026/09/JLR_Defender_Wolf_SeriesII_Trials_Tactical__11-1.jpg)

These modifications have been enhanced with a tougher front and rear bumper, as well as provisions to mount a gun on its roof.

JLR is the second carmaker to throw its hat in the ring for the MoD’s LMV tender, with [Ford this month showing off](https://torquecafe.com/car-news-2026-ford-ranger-uk-defence-vehicles/) numerous Ranger-based vehicles, including a 6x6 dual-cab Ranger.

It also previewed multiple versions of the Australian-developed Ranger Super Duty, such as some with additional armour (Enhanced Protection Vehicle), extra passenger capacity (Troop Carrying Vehicle), or sans bodywork (Light Tactical Vehicle).