Following its initial development in 1997, the rapid deployment vehicle (RDV) concept – one of Ricardo’s most successful defence vehicle engineering innovations – was introduced a year later by the British Army as the weapons mount installation kit (WMIK).  Ten years on – and following duty in Sierra Leone, Kosovo, Liberia, Afghanistan and Iraq – the Army’s WMIK-equipped Land Rover Defenders are returning to Ricardo as part of a major upgrade programme.

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Land Rover Malaysia just sent us photos, specs and schematics regarding this all-new Military Land Rover 6x6 derivative which was recently shown at Defence Services Asia 2008. This new military Land Rover was developed for the Malaysian Armed Forces by Land Rover Malaysia and Sasbilt Technologies Malaysia and is based on the newer Puma Defender range. It's available as a 6x4 and 6x6 with the 'mean wheelbase' measuring 147 inches (3750 mm). In Malaysia, Military Defenders are imported via CKD (Complete Knock Down) kits and assembled at a dedicated plant there. This derivative uses modular bodies which are specifically designed for a wide range of applications dependant on MINDEF requirements. You can read these full specifications and view more photos with schematics below.

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Land Rover's military specification Defenders could a see huge boost in production in 2009 if Land Rover wins the light specialist vehicle contract for the Indian Army. Recent reports from the India Times have suggested the contract could be very lucrative with up to 55,000 vehicles needed for Indian Defense forces.

Land Rover Military Defenders are available in countless number of configurations and they've also just launched a new 6x6 wide-chassis Defender (Pictured top left) with permanent 6x6 drive, 4,000kg payload capacity and optional modular rear bodies. It's basically custom built to order. ArmyTechnology.com has more information regarding Land Rover's current defense range of vehicles at the LINK

Land Rovers have long been the vehicle of choice for military, emergency and aid agencies around the world. The Discovery 3 continues this proud tradition and below are a few different variants that are used throughout Germany.

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You might have read a recent article on BBC Online about Hobson Industries ( article see LINK - photos see LINK ). Not only do Hobson offer the largest selection of refurbished Land Rover parts and spares but they also provide total armoring solutions for military Land Rover Defenders all over the world. They've developed their own Hobson armored Land Rover Ranger vehicle, which was recently on show at the Defense Systems & Equipment International Exhibition in September. Below is a much more detailed excerpt from a press release  that Hobson Industries recently sent us pertaining to their armored Ranger Defender along with photos of the vehicle build-up.

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MIT is busy preparing their autonomous (self piloted without driver) Land Rover LR3 for the DARPA Urban Challenge finals that will be held on November 3, 2007 in Victorville, California, USA. The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) is an organization of the US Department of Defense and the Urban Challenge was created to help spur development of self driven ground vehicle technology which could help save lives on the battlefield and assist in future military operations. Since our initial report MIT has launched a dedicated website so you can follow their DARPA Challenge progress - at the LINK. There is also a special video report on YouTube about MIT's LR3 at the LINK.

Related: An autonomous LR3 for DARPA Urban Challenge!

Photo: MIT Media

A self piloted Land Rover LR3 was recently entered in the 2007 DARPA Urban Challenge by a team of MIT students and professors. The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) is an organization of the US Department of Defense and the Urban Challenge was created to help spur development of self driven ground vehicle technology which could help save lives on the battlefield and assist in future military operations. Laser range scanners, video cameras and advanced radar systems pilot the LR3 autonomously, which is to say without a human at the wheel. VIDEO BELOW!

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Land Rover (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd is confident that the Malaysian-designed and built Defender 130 Tdi Tactical Command Post Vehicle has strong potential to be developed into a key product for military sales worldwide.

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Armor Holdings, Inc, a leading manufacturer and distributor of security products and vehicle armour systems serving the US$1,100 million military, law enforcement, homeland security and commercial market, announced the launch today (At Frankfurt MotorShow) of the IE-Defense System, the world’s first SUV and commercial vehicle armour system, to protect against attacks from Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs).

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