Ford joins UK Army bid for 9,000 light vehicles as Europe re-arms

September 23, 2026 at 04:11 AM2 min

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Ford is part of a joint venture with General Dynamics and Ricardo bidding for a UK Ministry of Defence contract to supply 9,000 light mobility vehicles over five to seven years. The bid aims to replace the Army's ageing Land Rover-based fleet and utilise spare capacity at Ford's Dagenham plant. The move comes as European carmakers face falling output and rising defence budgets.

Key Facts

Ford, General Dynamics and Ricardo are jointly bidding for a UK Ministry of Defence contract to supply 9,000 light mobility vehicles over five to seven years.
Ford's Dagenham plant has cut engine output from 90,000 units a year to about half that over the last decade.
Between 1939 and 1945, Ford's Dagenham factory built 360,000 vehicles for the Allied war effort.
Ford workers in Manchester manufactured 34,000 Rolls-Royce-designed Merlin engines during World War Two.

The UK Army Bid

Ford is part of a joint venture with defence specialists General Dynamics and Ricardo bidding for a Ministry of Defence contract to supply 9,000 vehicles over the next five to seven years. The vehicles would replace the Army's ageing Land Rover-based fleet under the Light Mobility Vehicle programme. Lisa Brankin, chair of Ford UK, said the bid is a chance to showcase the company's ability to respond quickly to defence needs.

Dagenham Plant Capacity

Ford's Dagenham plant has seen engine output cut from 90,000 units a year to about half that over the last decade. The plant still employs a 2,000-strong workforce making engines. Ford's latest vehicle, based on the Ranger series, can carry a load of two tonnes and tow up to four tonnes.

Historical Defence Production

Ahead of World War Two, Ford's Dagenham factory was the largest car plant in Europe. Between 1939 and 1945, the Dagenham plant built 360,000 vehicles for the Allied war effort. Ford workers in Manchester manufactured 34,000 Rolls-Royce-designed Merlin engines, which powered Spitfires and Hurricane fighter planes.