The British Army has unveiled its new £200,000 all-terrain vehicle, tailor-made for the hostile terrain of Helmand in Southern Afghanistan

Senior officers say the vehicle will greatly enhance the fighting capability of their soldiers, and will save lives.

Armed with a mix of machine guns and an automatic grenade launcher, and with a range of more than 500 miles, the vehicle will be used to hunt down and destroy the Taliban during long range surveillance and reconnaissance operations.

Its crew of three will be able to call in air strikes using onboard communications equipment. The new all-terrain vehicle has a 5.9 litre engine capable of 80mph on roads and 40mph across the Helmand desert.

It has revolutionary air suspension which allows for a comfortable ride even over the roughest of terrain and helps the gunners to hit their targets while on the move.

Known officially as the M-Wmik - Mobility Weapons Mounted Installation Kit - the vehicle will replace the ageing Land Rover Wmiks, variations of which have been in service since the Fifties.


The Sunday Telegraph was given an exclusive preview of the vehicle's capabilities on the Army's training area on Salisbury Plain last week. After almost 48 hours of rain, the terrain had turned into a quagmire but the M-Wmik cut through the clogging mud with ease and the bumps from the deeply rutted track were almost completely absorbed by the suspension.

The driver, Warrant Officer Nick Hartley, said it was easy to handle, with automatic transmission and power steering. "It's awesome. It does exactly what it says on the tin. Troops will be able to go deep into Taliban territory and hunt them down. It can go anywhere and it is very stable."

The vehicle and crew are protected against mines by reinforced armour plating but the military says its best defence is its manoeuvrability and speed.

First to use the vehicle on operations will be the Pathfinders, from 16 Air Assault Brigade, due to begin arriving in Helmand soon. The 202 vehicles purchased were made by Bab**** Marine, a British engineering company, which also makes ships. Working with the Army, the company procured the vehicle in seven months.

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"If you're going through hell, keep going". Winston Churchill

It looks like a fun vehicle to ride around in and very useful if fielded correctly. However it looks under armoured if used to protect convoys.

I agree with Tex, looks like a blast, but what happens if some SOB comes over a ridge and engages with a RPG?

looks badder then fudge!

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Mother is the Name for God on the lips and in the hearts of Children!

Well its about to be deployed with 16 Air Assualt Brigade shortly. So we'll see, so to speak!

Should work great if its used as intended. It just looks like an updated Pink Panther...Nothing really changes!

Its not an armoured vehicle, so armour countermeasure to an RPG attack is not an option like it is with all open top vehicles... however, they have positive points that can reduce theeffect, and that vehicle looks like the dogs b**l*cks of recon fighting vehicles... one thing though, its fuel consumption would want to be comparable with current vehicles of the same class at least, cos its strength is fast and stealthy, this cannot be lost to heavier engine and equipment... cos reduced range will be an inhibitor... especially for the likes of deep pentration patrols..

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It's got a range of 500 miles as against 300 with the landrover.

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"If you're going through hell, keep going". Winston Churchill

Well that answers my main question over it... it seems to have carrying capicity, be relatively agile, and have some very cool extras.... that type of recon vehicle has come a long way from the Jeeps of the desert recon group that helped the SAS out in 1943....

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"Barrel High, Powder Dry!"

"Illic est haud effrego ex Veneratio"

Looks like a fine machine.
the suspension system is especially interesting.

MWMIK it is. not that much armored and all agression and movement.
well. its not like that vehicle would ever drive under intense granade
fire.
the HK GMG really gives it some serious punch.
the GMG is probably soon to be armed with thease.
HK GMG with Rheinmetall smart munitions would be a very nice touch.

but, without any side/top armor, this thing is totally vounerable for sharpnels and such.
granted.. it doesn't encounter much within it's given task.

its better than Land Rover WMIK IMO.

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Hmmm!

I can see our lot using it where it shouldn't be used. We have a habit of doing that!

Used in a proper manner its a winner!

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"If you're going through hell, keep going". Winston Churchill