UK’s $1 billion AUKUS support request signals strong ongoing US collaboration
The latest foreign military sales request from the UK has implications for the future of the programme and collaboration between the three nations.
Royal Marines to be quipped with new snowmobiles
Royal Marines recently participated in the large-scale Nordic Response exercise, covering military drills in the Arctic with NATO allies. (Photo: Royal Navy)
The Royal Navy purchased the vehicles from Bombardier Recreational Products (BRP) for more than £10 million (US$12.6 million).
The UK Commando Force will receive 159 Lynx Brutal Over Snow Reconnaissance Vehicles for specialised troops operating in extreme cold weather who have been trained for combat and survival in Arctic territory.
The new snowmobiles, produced by a Finnish subsidiary of the Canadian firm BRP, will be supplied after March 2025.
The Royal Navy stated that the Lynx Brutal was equipped to operate in deep snow and reflected commandos’ changing tactics and challenges.
According to the Royal Navy, Royal Marines have previously partly moved on skis and snowshoes in snowy areas. A growing need to move quicker and over longer distances has resulted in the purchase of the new snowmobiles.
According to the Royal Navy, the new snowmobiles will arrive at a similar time as 60 future all-terrain vehicles, which will be expected to replace a fleet of Bv 206s and Viking vehicles.
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
You may also like
More from Naval Warfare
-
![UK’s $1 billion AUKUS support request signals strong ongoing US collaboration]()
-
![US Coast Guard prepares acquisition process of up to seven light icebreakers]()
US Coast Guard prepares acquisition process of up to seven light icebreakers
The USCG plans to award a contract this year for the construction of Homeland Security Cutters. The new vessels will replace the 60-plus-year-old fleet of Light Icebreaking Tugs.
-
![RTX Raytheon enhances SM-3 and SM-6 production capacity]()
RTX Raytheon enhances SM-3 and SM-6 production capacity
The expansion of the Redstone facility in Alabama will enable Raytheon to increase production of Standard Missiles in the location by 50% and support Washington in refilling stockpiles after recent operations have depleted the Pentagon’s reserves.
-
![What the rise of interoperability between Western allies means for defence procurement]()
What the rise of interoperability between Western allies means for defence procurement
Major naval initiatives including the European Patrol Corvette programmes and Norway’s UK partnership-focused purchase of Type 26 frigates point to the growing interest in the advantages of commonality across allied navies.
-
![Kraken’s Royal Navy USV contract signals next step in crewed-uncrewed integration]()
Kraken’s Royal Navy USV contract signals next step in crewed-uncrewed integration
The UK Royal Navy’s rapid procurement of uncrewed platforms aligns with the force’s strategic shift towards a fleet better equipped to handle modern threats.
-
![HMS Anson’s milestone stay in Australia cut short during AUKUS deployment]()
HMS Anson’s milestone stay in Australia cut short during AUKUS deployment
The Astute-class submarine’s visit to Australia was the first time maintenance activity on a UK Royal Navy nuclear submarine had been carried out in the country.
