TheFerret armoured car, also commonly called theFerret scout car, is a Britisharmoured fighting vehicle designed and built forreconnaissance purposes. The Ferret was produced between 1952 and 1971 by theUK companyDaimler. It was widely used byregiments in theBritish Army, as well as theRAF Regiment andCommonwealth countries throughout the period.
The Ferret was developed in 1949 as a result of a British Army requirement issued in 1947. 'Light reconnaissance cars' existed during theSecond World War, notably theDaimler Dingo.
Given its experience with the successful Dingo (6,626 produced and one of two British AFVs produced throughout WWII) Daimler was awarded a development contract in October 1948, and in June 1950 the first prototype of the Car, Scout, 4×4, Liaison (Ferret) Mark 1 was delivered.
Designated the FV 701(C), it was one of several versions resembling the original Daimler scout cars, and represented the basic model Ferret. This shared many similar design features with the Dingo, notably theH form drive train in which a central differential eliminates loss of traction due to wheel-slip, and parallel drive shafts considerably reduced the height of the vehicle (roughly equivalent to that of a tracked AFV) compared to conventional armoured car designs.[3]
Like the Daimler scout car, the Ferret suspension consisted of pairs of transverse links and single coil springs, the wheels driven by Tracta constant-velocity joints, but the Ferret benefited from epicyclic reduction gears reducing transmission torque loads, essential with the six cylinder 4.26 litre water-cooled Rolls-RoyceB.60 petrol engine. Connected by a fluid coupling to a pre-selector five speed epicyclic gearbox, all gears available in reverse, in its original form, the Ferret produced 116 bhp (87 kW) at 3,300 rpm and 129 bhp (96 kW) at 3,750 in its final form.
This improvedpower-to-weight ratio, longer wheelbase (2.29 m (7.5 ft) compared with the Dingo's 1.98 metres (6.5 feet)) and the fitting of larger 9.00×16run flat tyres increased speed and mobility over broken ground.
Compared with the Daimler Dingo and Canadian Ford Lynx, the Ferret featured a larger cabin, directly mounted to the hull (the Ferret is much noisier than Dingo, lacking amonocoque body).
6–16 mm (0.24–0.63 in) steel plate protects the crew from shell splinters at most angles except directly overhead because the basic vehicle was open-topped and unarmed, with the exception of six forward-firinggrenade launchers fitted to the hull over the front wheels (normally carrying smoke grenades), a feature found on all subsequent marks and models.
However, the Ferret normally carried a .303" (7.7 mm)Bren light machine gun or apintle-mounted .30" (7.62 mm)Browning light machine gun[3] in addition to the crew's personal weapons.
Ferret Mark 2
Compared to the lightly armed and protected Mark 1, the Mark 2 was designed from the outset to mount a .30" (7.62 mm) Browning in a one-person traversable turret, at the cost of one crew member. While this offered better crew protection and protected the exposed gunner, the turret raised the height of the vehicle.
Mark 1 and Mark 2 Ferrets were used by Australian Military 1953-70, at which time Australian military forces disposed of them at public auction.
The Sri Lanka Army used Mark 1 and Mark 2 Ferrets from 1955 to 1999, with the last decade in a non-front line role. TheSri Lanka Armoured Corps still retains a few operational Ferret Mark 1 for ceremonial use, while some Mark 2s aregate guardians or in museums.[4]
According to the US Military, 20 national armies were operating the Ferret in 1996.[5]
In 2025 a video was released showing a Ferret Mk1 with added drone defenses in action in Ukraine.[6]
A total of 4,409 Ferrets, including 16 sub-models under various Mark numbers, were manufactured between 1952 and 1971, when production ceased. It is possible to upgrade the engine using the more powerful FB60 version from theAustin Princess 4-Litre-R; this upgrade providing a 55 bhp (41 kW) gain over the standard B60 engine.[citation needed]
Burkina Faso: 30 received in 1971.[7][8]
Cameroon: 15 active as of 2024.[7] SIPRI reports 8 received.[8]
Central African Republic: 8 active as of 2024.[7] SIPRI reports 32 received in 1973, 1981.[8]
Indonesia: 55 in service as of 2024.[7][8]
India: An unknown number in service with Indian Police as of 2024.[7] 50 received between 1956-57.[8]
Kenya: 12 in active service as of 2024.[7] SIPRI reports 20 received in 1964.[8]
Madagascar: 10 received in 1968.[8]
Malaysia: 92 Mk 2 variant, received between 1962-64.[8] Limited numbers still active in Royal Malaysia Police and also used as ceremony vehicle by Malaysian Army.[9][10]
Malawi: 10 received in 1972.[8]
Nepal: 40 Mk 4 variant received in 1981, 1995.[8]
Uganda: 6 in active service as of 2024.[7] 15 received in 1965.[8]
Ukraine: At least one Mk1 purchased privately.[11][12]
Zimbabwe: 15 operational as of 2024.[7] 30 received in 1960.[8]
Abu Dhabi: 65 received between 1968-71.[8]
Australia: 265 received in 1956-57.[8]
Bahrain: 8 received in 1972.[13] No longer in service.[7]
Biafra: 1[14]
Brunei[15]
Canada: 124.[16] SIPRI reports delivery of 120 Ferrets in 1957.[8]
France: 200 received in 1956-57;[8] likely replaced by thePanhard AML[17]
Gambia: 8 received in 1969.[8]
Ghana: 30 received in 1961.[8]
Hong Kong: Used by theRoyal Hong Kong Regiment.[18]
Iran: 50 received in 1970-71.[8]
Iraq: 25 received between 1953-55.[8]
Jamaica: 15; Mk 4 variant, received in 1962.[8]
Jordan: 180 received between 1954-69.[8]
Lebanon: 5; possibly donated by Jordan[19]
Libya: 15 received in 1966.[8]
Netherlands: 6 Mk 2, 1 Mk 1, operated by 11 Infantry Recce Company[20]
New Zealand: 9; Mk 2 variant, received between 1960-61.[8]
Nigeria: 40 received between 1961-63.[8]
North Yemen[15]
Oman: 15 received between 1964-65.[8]
Pakistan: 10 received in 1954.[8]
Portugal: 32; Mk 4 variant[21]
Qatar: 10 received in 1968.[8]
Burma: 45[13]
Saudi Arabia: 30 received in 1968-69.[8]
Somalia: 18 received in 1961, 1999.[8]
South Africa: 231.[22] SIPRI reports 60 received in 1963-64.[8]
South Yemen: 15 received in 1967[8]
Sri Lanka: 42 received in 1960 and 1990.[8]
Sudan: 88 received between 1960-1963.[8]
United Kingdom[19]
Zaire: 30[13][15]
Zambia: 28 received in 1964.[8]
There are several Marks of Ferret, including those with varying equipment, with or without a turret, and armed withSwingfire anti-tank missiles. Including all the marks and experimental variants, there have probably been over 60 different vehicles.
