A fleet of more than 100 Australian-designed and -engineered Ford Ranger utes have been selected to serve in the UK military.
A total of 104 Ford Ranger XL pick-ups will don appropriate decals and lights after being selected by the UK’s Ministry of Defence (MoD) for use by the Army, Navy, Air Force and the Ministry itself.
Intended for carrying personnel, MoD civilians and equipment, the four-wheel-drive Rangers will be supplied in a variety of cab configurations with each vehicle planned to have an operational life of between five and seven years.
MoD program manager Steve O’Leary said the Ranger was selected due to it being “more than able” to fulfil the required role, in terms of off-road mobility and payload.
“These Ford Rangers are all vital administrative vehicles. Some will be used by service security patrols guarding military establishments, and others will be converted for mountain rescue,” O’Leary said.
According to Ford UK, more than 3600 Ford Rangers have been sold in the UK so far this year.
Year-to-date sales have reached 18,097 in Australia, where the Ranger is available with 122kW/225Nm 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol, 110kW/375Nm 2.2-litre four-cylinder diesel and 147kW/470Nm 3.2-litre five-cylinder diesel engines.
