The Ministry of Defence has confirmed Britain's armed forces will begin phasing out their iconic Land Rover fleet after seven decades of military service.
Thousands of vehicles face retirement over the coming months, with the process being coordinated according to Army requirements.
The MoD is now seeking a successor vehicle, with soldiers expected to receive the first replacements by 2030.
More than 5,000 Land Rovers were still operational across the UK military last year, with a major shift in how British troops will be transported in future operations.
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Government minister Luke Pollard launched the competition to find a replacement vehicle at a commemorative ceremony held in Bovington, Dorset on Thursday.
"The Land Rover and British Army share an incredible history and the image of a Landy in Army livery is truly iconic," he said.
The minister paid tribute to the fleet's distinguished record of service while looking ahead to modernisation.
British Army announces it is retiring iconic Land Rover fleet after 70 years of service | GETTY
He added: "As we look ahead to the future of light mobility vehicles, it is fitting to pay tribute to this extraordinary fleet that has served our Armed Forces so faithfully.
"I'm firing the starting gun on the replacement vehicle competition, seeking to put a modern vehicle in the hands of our personnel".
Land Rovers became a fixture of British military operations following their widespread adoption during the 1950s, earning a reputation as a dependable workhorse for the armed forces.
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Throughout the decades, the MoD developed several specialist Land Rover variants exclusively for military purposes.
The Series IIA Ambulance was configured to transport four stretchers alongside a medic, while the Series IIA Pink Panther served SAS units conducting special operations and long-range reconnaissance missions in desert environments.
Engineers also created an amphibious prototype, the SIIA 109, designed for beach landings during military operations.
Perhaps the most unusual adaptation was the V8 Centaur Multi-Role Half-Track, which incorporated tracks from the Scorpion light tank in an experimental effort to combine the characteristics of a conventional road vehicle with armoured capability.
According to the MoD, the retirement of this legendary fleet marks a pivotal moment in the evolution of the Army's mobility capabilities.
The ministry stated that while the Land Rover's legacy will continue, the focus has now shifted to equipping personnel with technologically advanced vehicles suited to future missions.
Additionally, the new light motor vehicles programme will create opportunities for British-based companies through maintenance and support contracts, positioning defence as a driver of economic growth.
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