Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s Ineos Grenadier 4x4 is among the contenders vying to replace the British Army’s ageing fleet of Land Rover Defenders. The competition for the Ministry of Defence’s (MoD) £2.5 billion contract includes several vehicles, with the Ineos Grenadier facing rivals such as a modified Mercedes G-Wagon, Jaguar Land Rover’s latest Defender, and a safari-style Toyota Land Cruiser.

The Mercedes G-Wagon bid has garnered attention partly due to its popularity among high-profile celebrities, including Kylie Jenner, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Arnold Schwarzenegger. Meanwhile, the Ineos Grenadier, developed under Ratcliffe’s leadership, represents a bespoke solution aimed specifically at meeting military requirements.

Tony Lewis, an Army veteran and member of the Ineos team, highlighted the personal importance of the project. His son, Conrad, was killed while serving in Afghanistan in 2010, and Lewis said his involvement with the Grenadier bid is driven by a commitment to ensuring soldiers receive the best equipment possible. “For me, it is about getting the soldiers the best kit, because if they have the best kit they get home,” Lewis said. He added that had his son been equipped with the Grenadier, he believes Conrad would have survived his deployment.

The final decision on the vehicle selection will determine which model will succeed the Land Rover Defender as the British Army’s primary light utility vehicle. The contract reflects the MoD’s priority to modernize its fleet with reliable, versatile, and rugged vehicles capable of meeting diverse operational demands. The competing manufacturers are expected to demonstrate their vehicles’ suitability through rigorous testing and evaluation before a winner is announced.