02/07/2008 10:11. Land Rover bosses there are "no implications" to the Ministry of Defence's order of 157 heavily armoured Ridgback 4x4s to replace ageing Land Rovers in war zones.

The vehicles have been ordered as a response to the increasing number of roadside bomb casualties in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Land Rover's director of corporate affairs, Don Hume, said: "There's no comparison between the two vehicles. One weighs four tons; the other weighs 12 tons. The [Snatch Land Rover] will continue to fulfil a role. It's still a popular vehicle."

The American-built Ridgback trucks will be deployed in combat areas from next year. They should afford troops greater protection from mines than the elderly Defenders currently is use, and are said to be more manoeuvrable and reliable. Ridgbacks have... // Autocar