Vallfirest has presented a concept for converting classic Land Rover Defender vehicles into compact wildfire response units using a new version of its Tactical Unit module.
Named the Compact Tactical Unit, the proposed system would adapt Vallfirest’s existing modular firefighting equipment to the Defender chassis, creating a light support vehicle capable of operating on narrow forest tracks and difficult terrain.
Compact wildfire response
Vallfirest’s existing Tactical Unit modules combine firefighting equipment within a removable structure that can be fitted to different vehicle chassis.
Current configurations can incorporate water tanks, pumps, hoses, storage for personal protective equipment and hand tools, and an upper cargo area.
The company says its mounting system allows a complete module to be removed from a vehicle in under five minutes.
For the Defender concept, the equipment would be redesigned into a smaller configuration to accommodate the vehicle’s dimensions and payload capacity.
Using existing Defender vehicles
Vallfirest sees potential in the global fleet of classic Defender models produced between 1983 and 2016.
The company believes restored vehicles could provide a platform for additional wildfire response capacity, supported by the established market for Defender refurbishment.
Mechanical diesel variants, including models fitted with 200Tdi and 300Tdi engines, are of particular interest because of their mechanical simplicity and reduced reliance on electronic management systems.
Supporting existing fire vehicles
The proposed vehicle is intended to complement conventional firefighting appliances rather than replace them.
Its compact dimensions and four wheel drive capability could allow crews to transport water, equipment and tools into locations that are difficult for larger vehicles to access.
Vallfirest also identifies vehicle refurbishment as a potential way of extending the working life of existing assets rather than manufacturing entirely new platforms.
The company said the concept could offer operational, economic and sustainability benefits by combining refurbished vehicles with adaptable wildfire firefighting equipment.
