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.
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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 TASMAN mid-size pickup truck in four-door configuration.
- Although INEOS did not have a stand at DSEI, a variant of the Grenadier Quartermaster militarised by SMT Defence was presented with company backing and a second Grenadier was displayed by German armourers STOOF International.
- The Mercedes-Benz G-class was 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 Vehicle conversions, 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.
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Some further reading on the UK Forces Truck Utility Medium or TUM replacement saga:-
- UK Military Medium Utility Vehicle Doldrums ~ 27Aug2022
- UK GSUP ~ General Support Utility Platform Programme ~ 08Sep2022
- UK Light Tactical Mobility Platform (M) Contract Notice ~ 31Aug2023
- UK Land Mobility Programme – Prior Information Notice ~ 16Sep2024
- Light Mobility Vehicle Contenders at DVD 2024 ~ 27Sep2024
- UK Light Mobility Vehicle – Request for Information ~ 11Jan2025
- UK Light Mobility Vehicle ~ Pipeline Notice ~ 10Jun2025
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