Surveillance and Reconnaissance Squadron Commando in the High North of Norway on the Oversnow Reconnaissance Vehicle (Picture: Royal Navy). — Members of the Surveillance and Reconnaissance Squadron test the Lynx Brutal in the equally brutal terrain of the High North of Norway (Picture: Royal Navy)

Royal Marines

Commandos' new £10m snowmobiles will enhance Arctic lethality for elite force

The Royal Marines' raiding and reconnaissance capabilities is being boosted by a £10m investment in new snowmobiles, making the Commandos even more lethal in the Arctic.

One hundred and fifty-nine Finnish-made Lynx Brutal Over Snow Reconnaissance Vehicles (OSRV) will be provided to the British Armed Forces from March 2025 onwards.

The Commando Force will benefit from these machines, particularly regarding the transport of equipment and enhanced agility in the snow.

According to Captain Nick Unwin, the Commando Force programme director, "this is the next step" for the Marines.

The new Lynx Brutal snowmobiles are specially designed for the terrains the Commando Force could operate in.

"This is the next step in the transformational change taking place across the Commando Force in terms of what they do and how they do it," said Capt Unwin.

"The Lynx Brutal is a well-proven vehicle operated by many partners and allies and will play a key part in the Commandos' ability to operate in areas and in ways that are beyond the capabilities of conventional forces in the High North."

The Royal Marines will receive 159 new Finnish-made Lynx Brutal Over Snow Reconnaissance Vehicles in March 2025 (Picture: Royal Navy). — The Royal Marines will receive 159 new Finnish-made Lynx Brutal Over Snow Reconnaissance Vehicles from March 2025 (Picture: Royal Navy)

The Lynx Brutal OSRVs are designed to tackle uncharted snowscapes and trails, and their arrival comes more than a year after the delivery of 60 Future All-Terrain Vehicles (FATV) for the military.

With a powerful turbocharged engine and rail reinforcements to add durability in demanding conditions, the OSRV is the ideal vehicle for the Commando Force.

The vehicle's rear suspension can also offers more agility in deep snow.

A Royal Marine from 45 Commando stood with his weapon and the Over Snow Reconnaissance Vehicles (Picture: Royal Navy). — A Royal Marine from 45 Commando stands with his weapon and the Over Snow Reconnaissance Vehicle (Picture: Royal Navy)

Steve Hayward, team leader for the Specialist and Autonomous Mobility (SAM) team at Defence, Equipment and Support (DE&S), said: "This contract follows an intense period of assessment phase trialling underpinned by some outstanding collaboration between DE&S, Navy, UKSC and Industry.

"The commercial milestone marks an important step towards DE&S delivering and supporting new equipment that will enable the Commando Force to operate effectively in extreme cold weather environments, including the High North.

"We look forward to moving into the demonstration and manufacture phases at pace."