The latest line in armoured vehicles to protect troops in Afghanistan and Iraq from mines and roadside bombs was demonstrated in public for the first time yesterday.

The entry of the Ridgback, a heavily armoured “beast”, into the Army’s inventory of vehicles underlines the emergency steps forced on the Ministry of Defence after a rising number of casualties from explosive devices that have penetrated vehicles with inadequate armour.

The Ridgback, which is a modified version of the 4x4 American Cougar armoured vehicle, will not be ready for deployment until next year. It will be joining the Mastiff, another huge armoured vehicle, and the new Jackal, an open-top mine-resistant vehicle that the MoD hopes will replace the armoured Land Rover.

Commanders in Afghanistan have been calling for more protection for the troops, and the Government has spent hundreds of millions of pounds on better vehicles, although for many shorter patrols the armoured Snatch Land Rover will still be used. Corporal Sarah Bryant of the Intelligence Corps and three reservists of 23 SAS were killed last week in an armoured Land Rover that was hit by a roadside bomb. Several soldiers and Royal Marines have also been killed while driving armoured Vikings, which were sent out to provide more protection but were found to be vulnerable to mines. These vehicles are now having armour upgrades.

The Ridgback was unveiled at a defence exhibition at Millbrook, Bedfordshire. Baroness Taylor of Bolton, the Minister for Defence Equipment and Support, said that the MoD had spent £150 million on the fleet of 157 Ridgbacks. She also announced that 72 more Jackals had been ordered, and 14 additional Vikings.

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