In the post war period, the Services continued to use the vast stocks of military equipment acquired during the war, with few purchases of new equipment. In the light truck class up to 1 ton, this was the ¼ ton 4x4 supplied by the United States. These rugged and very Spartan vehicles were more commonly known as ‘jeeps’, and over 16,000 of them had been supplied to Australia between 1942 and 1945. They also carried Australian soldiers to war once again in Korea, but by the late 1950s, they were showing their age. A more modern and reliable vehicle was sought by the Army as a replacement.

A technical assessment of the five likely contenders was called for in mid-1958. These were the Willys Model CJ-3B, which, in simple terms, was a modernised version of the already familiar jeep; the US Military’s M38A1, which was a militarised version of the Willys Model CJ-5 civilian light truck; the British Austin Gypsy; a pilot model 4x4 under development by Freighter Industries Ltd, an Australian company; and a Land Rover Series 2.

The Army, Navy and Department of Supply had had some experience with the Land Rover Series 1, first produced in the late 1940s. Several had been purchased by the Department of Supply for survey and light liaison work in outback areas, while the Navy had acquired a small number for general duties and as ships’ transport. Army had purchased two vehicles for appraisal. They had been used for a range of experimental work during the 1950s, much of this at the Trial and Proving Wing at Monegeeta.

A series of trials were conducted and by mid-1959, it was clear that the two front runners were the M38A1 and the Land Rover. Both vehicles had comparable automotive performance, and the M38A1 offered some advantages in terms of compatibility with US Forces. However, the Land Rover’s better weather protection, more comfortable ride and superior all round vision held sway. The next generation of ¼ ton trucks would be the Land Rover. It was to be a long-lasting partnership. Soon after the decision to purchase the ¼ ton Land Rover, it was decided to provide a 4-stretcher ambulance on the longer wheelbase ¾ ton chassis. Then the Land Rover long wheel base ¾ ton vehicle was chosen as the basic vehicle in that class as well. The high degree of compatibility between the ¼ ton and ¾ ton vehicles made both logistic and financial sense.

With Land Rover now providing the basic General Service (GS) vehicles in both classes, a wide range of specialised body styles were developed in close collaboration with the manufacturer. Radio vehicles, platform-bodied light workshops equipped with various specialist tools, radar carriers, even a version to carry a 106mm M40A1 recoilless rifle, were all developed during the next few years.

The improved Series 2A version was purchased from the early 1960s, followed by the less popular Series 3 during the 1970s. The 1980s saw a new generation of both 4x4 Land Rovers in the 1 tonne class, and a 6x6 version in the 2 tonne class, all with diesel engines. Again, several specialist versions were developed for particular applications, including a Long Range Patrol Vehicle for the Special Air Service Regiment. Australian Army Land Rovers have served in many operational areas, including Vietnam, Cambodia, Somalia, Rwanda, the Sudan, East Timor, Iraq, and Afghanistan. They have - indeed still are - the Army’s light and dependable workhorse.