Jaguar Land Rover has unveiled the Defender Wolf Series II, a military version of its popular SUV, as a contender to replace the British Army's Series I Land Rover, the vehicle generations of soldiers have called the "Landy," which is being retired after more than 75 years of front-line service.
The Ministry of Defence is seeking to upgrade its fleet of 6,000 vehicles before the end of the decade. Jaguar Land Rover, known as JLR, is bidding for the contract with a purpose-built model based on today's Defender.
In March, defence minister Luke Pollard said the "iconic British vehicle" had "served us incredibly well" but confirmed it was time to find a replacement with "greater capability" as the 4x4 approaches its official decommissioning from military service.
JLR's Case for the Wolf Series II
The Defender Wolf Series II is JLR's first dedicated military launch since the original Defender Wolf. It uses the same architecture and monocoque construction as the family SUV, which the company says has proven itself in some of the world's harshest climates and terrains.
JLR said the Wolf Series II will compete for the Ministry of Defence's Light Mobility Vehicle tender, and the company has also set up a new Defender Defence Division to work with other defence organisations.
During its development more than a decade ago, the Defender underwent more than 62,000 engineering sign-off tests, including extensive evaluations of its chassis and body architecture, and was engineered to withstand JLR's "Extreme Event Test" procedure.
The model has already been adapted for specialist duties through JLR's Defender Expert portfolio, serving organisations around the world in border patrol, policing, military operations and firefighting. JLR also pointed to the Defender's recent performance in the Dakar Rally, saying it was the only entrant to complete every obstacle in what is widely regarded as motorsport's most demanding event.
Four Variants for the British Army
Four versions of the Defender Wolf Series II, covering tactical, general transport, ambulance and utility roles, will be unveiled at the British Army's DVD 2026 event at Millbrook, Bedfordshire, later this month.
Built in Slovakia, Converted in Britain
The Defender is one of the few JLR models not built in Britain. The civilian version is assembled at the company's Nitra plant in Slovakia, though it is powered by British-built engines and 75 per cent of its parts are manufactured in the UK.
A company spokesperson told the Mail and This is Money that Defenders would be converted into Wolf Series II models for military use at a UK facility. JLR said it retains end-to-end control of the engineering programme, which it believes will let it deliver the Ministry of Defence's next-generation fleet "at pace and scale," producing around 200 models a day backed by sovereign capability and its global supply chain.
Rival Bids for the Contract
Even with the Defender likely to draw support from traditionalists hoping to extend Land Rover's military service, it faces strong competition for the MOD contract.
Rheinmetall, the German defence giant that manufactures tanks for the Bundeswehr, has presented its Shadow Wolf 4x4. America's GM Defense, backed by Britain's BAE Systems, has entered a joint bid with its Infantry Squad Vehicle. US manufacturer General Dynamics Land Systems, which already supplies the Ajax armoured vehicle used by the British Army, is also expected to submit a proposal.
British aerospace and defence firm Babcock International is believed to be in the running with its Toyota Land Cruiser-based General Logistics Vehicle, while Battersea-based automotive company Fering is also understood to be competing for the contract.
What JLR's Defence Chief Said
Patrick McGillycuddy, managing director of the Defender brand, said: "The Defender Wolf Series II is our next-generation military vehicle. British-designed and engineered, with pioneering off-road technologies and an engine built in Wolverhampton."
He added: "The Defender Wolf Series II is intended as a light mobility solution for transporting people and equipment within the defence sector. We are bidding for the UK Ministry of Defence Light Mobility Vehicle tender with a modern replacement for the world-famous Defender Wolf that served the British Armed Forces for more than 70 years."
Sales Record and an Electric Future
The civilian Defender is by far JLR's best-selling model. It delivered 115,400 units globally in 2025, well ahead of the next best-seller, the Range Rover Sport, which sold 79,800 units.
A new electric Defender variant is due to join the range and, unlike the current model, will be built in Britain. Executives confirmed it will be manufactured at the Halewood plant on Merseyside, which has been in operation since 1962 and employs 3,000 staff.
