Secretary of State for Defence, John Hutton, pictured in the Jackal – the vehicles is to be complemented by a new 700-strong fleet in Afghanistan. © Crown Copyright 2008

The UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) has announced it is to spend £700 million on new heavily armoured vehicles designed to provide extra protection from roadside bombings in Afghanistan.

A total of 700 new Tactical Support Vehicles (TSV) are to be deployed, including a 400-strong fleet of heavy, medium and light support trucks worth £350m.

Designed to complement the existing Mastiff and Jackal trucks, new vehicles include the Wolfhound, a heavy armoured support truck with the highest level of mine blast protection; the Husky, used in lower threat areas inaccessible by heavier vehicles; and the light armoured Coyote.

Over 100 brand new cross-country Warthogs will replace the existing Viking fleet, whilst an additional 100 all-terrain Jackals will provide more off-road mobility and firepower.

To further deal with the threat of IEDs (improvised explosive devices), a new class of specialist route clearance vehicles – spearheaded by the Buffalo mine-protected vehicle – is also being developed.

A number of modifications have also been announced, including upgrades to the Snatch-Vixen Land Rover, the Panther light armoured 4×4, and 30 base Cougar 4×4 and 6×6 vehicles.

Secretary of State for Defence, John Hutton, commented: “Getting the right vehicles and equipment to our Armed Forces has always been an absolute priority. Today’s multi-million pound package shows that we are responding to new and changing threats on the ground and will provide our serving personnel with the highest levels of protection and mobility that technology will allow.”

For more information or to apply, visit: www.mod.uk

By Natasha Piscitelli