Royal Navy commandos to upgrade 'iconic' all-terrain transport in £140 million deal

ROYAL Marines are to be given new amphibious vehicles for combat across the Arctic, desert, and mountains as part of a £140m international agreement.
By Richard Lemmer
Published 16th Dec 2022, 14:22 GMT
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The UK’s Commando Forces will receive 60 of the Future All-Terrain Vehicles (FATVs) from 2025.

These new vehicles are an evolution of the current Vikings with better amphibious swimming capability and lift capacity.

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The uprated Vikings – which will be in service until 2058 – are capable of operating in the harshest climates, from Arctic tundras to scorching deserts.

Royal Marines are to get upgraded all-terrain Vikings vehicles.Royal Marines are to get upgraded all-terrain Vikings vehicles.
Royal Marines are to get upgraded all-terrain Vikings vehicles.
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Brigadier Mark Totten, Navy deputy director acquisition, said: ‘The vehicles boast a number of characteristics that make it perfect for the Future Commando Force: it is adept over snow, has amphibious swimming capability and protects its occupants from several threats.

‘Progressing to contract is a clear statement of the UK’s strong commitment to High North and to working alongside our NATO and Joint Expeditionary Force partners.

‘The signing of the CATV contract is great news for UK Defence and for Commando Forces.’

The upgraded Vikings vehicles will have a front cabin to accommodate the driver with three fully-equipped marines, and a rear cabin which can carry eight fully-equipped marines.The upgraded Vikings vehicles will have a front cabin to accommodate the driver with three fully-equipped marines, and a rear cabin which can carry eight fully-equipped marines.
The upgraded Vikings vehicles will have a front cabin to accommodate the driver with three fully-equipped marines, and a rear cabin which can carry eight fully-equipped marines.
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The deal will see a total of 463 of the vehicles delivered by BAE Systems across the three European partners, with the engines for all FATVs produced by Cummins in Darlington.

The new Vikings will most often see action as part of the Royal Navy’s amphibious task groups – known as Littoral Response Groups – which deploy to global hot spots, ready react to security or humanitarian crises.

Last Portsmouth-based HMS Defender returned from an 'epic’ year of working as part of Littoral Response Group North, patrolling across the Mediterranean.

Related topics:Royal NavyVikings