British Army Foxhounds to take on command role

Up to 50 of the British Army's Foxhound LPPV vehicles will be converted into command variants. (Janes/Patrick Allen)

Up to 50 of the British Army's Foxhound vehicles will be converted into command variants under a GBP19.76 million (USD24.92 million) sole-source contract with General Dynamics Land Systems (GDLS).

The contract, expected to be awarded in early 2024, will involve the conversion of up to 50 Foxhound Light Protected Patrol Vehicles (LPPVs) over a 15-month period, a UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) contract notice disclosed on 23 November.

According to the notice, the converted vehicles will be installed with enhanced high-frequency (HF), very-high-frequency (VHF), and ultra-high-frequency (UHF) capabilities and will enable operation of Bowman data terminals.

The UK MoD were unable to elaborate to Janes on the new communication systems expected to be installed on the converted command vehicles.

GDLS is the only contractor able to technically fulfil this requirement as they are the original equipment manufacturer for the Foxhound and the design authority on the Bowman communications system, the announcement detailed. GDLS is believed to be offering an upgraded Mk 2 version of the Foxhound vehicles for the army's GBP1 billion land mobility pipeline requirement, expected to start in 2025. Although, the MoD told Janes the army has not formally engaged with the company on this.

Intended primarily for operations in Afghanistan and Iraq, the Foxhound is a wheeled LPPV that replaced the army's Snatch Land Rovers. The army received 400 vehicles overall.