DSEI 2025: New Foxhound SHORAD brings modular firepower and counter drone capability.

At the Defence and Security Equipment International (DSEI) exhibition held in London from 9 to 16 September 2025, Moog and General Dynamics Land Systems UK (GDLSUK) present a new short-range air defence variant of the Foxhound 4×4 protected patrol vehicle. This specialist configuration integrates Moog’s Reconfigurable Integrated-weapons Platform (RIwP), a modular system already in service with the U.S. Army, adapted to the needs of the British Army.
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The vehicle is fitted with in-service High Velocity and Lightweight Multirole Missiles, a 30×113 mm cannon suited for counter-drone operations, a 7.62 mm machine gun, and an electro-optic sensor suite. (Picture source: Army Recognition)

The Foxhound has been in service for over a decade with British forces, where its modular architecture and adaptability have made it a proven platform. Its design offers high levels of protection, reliability, and availability, while remaining flexible enough to host additional mission systems. The RIwP system complements these characteristics by providing a modular base hub capable of hosting a variety of weapons and sensors. Its integration allows users to reconfigure the vehicle for different missions, ranging from short-range air defence to counter-unmanned aerial systems and mounted close-combat overwatch roles.

The Foxhound itself is a 7.5-tonne 4×4 patrol vehicle designed for high mobility in urban and complex terrain, featuring a V-shaped hull to protect against mines and improvised explosive devices. It carries a crew of two and up to four dismounts, with modular armor packages that can be adapted to mission requirements. Moog’s RIwP complements this by offering a stabilized, remote-operated turret with 360-degree coverage, able to integrate a wide range of effectors from missiles to medium-caliber cannons and machine guns. Its open architecture allows rapid sensor and weapon swaps, ensuring compatibility with existing and future systems while maintaining low weight for deployment on light tactical vehicles.

The vehicle is fitted with in-service High Velocity and Lightweight Multirole Missiles, a 30×113 mm cannon suited for counter-drone operations, a 7.62 mm machine gun, and an electro-optic sensor suite. This combination illustrates how light forces can benefit from firepower and flexibility while using a vehicle already in operational service. Both Foxhound and RIwP are mature systems, meaning that integration can be carried out rapidly to accelerate operational deployment.

The collaboration between GDLSUK and Moog is built on earlier joint work, with RIwP already integrated onto other General Dynamics platforms, such as the U.S. Army’s Stryker 8×8, the Tracked Robot 10-ton, and the Pandur 6×6 vehicle used by European forces. The integration process for the Foxhound took place in Merthyr Tydfil, Wales, and was completed in a matter of weeks using UK-based teams. This rapid adaptation underscores the capacity to deliver systems tailored to national requirements while maintaining sovereignty and freedom of action.

Both companies underline the potential of the Foxhound equipped with RIwP to provide the British Army with a SHORAD capability that could be fielded in a short timeframe. Beyond air defence, the system offers the option of adding effectors for anti-armour missions or adapting to evolving battlefield needs by changing the sensor and weapon configuration. Export potential is also highlighted, as many partners look for platforms that combine protection, flexibility, and the possibility of integration with national systems.

General Dynamics Land Systems UK has developed the Foxhound as a modular patrol vehicle capable of adapting to different missions over its service life. Its evolution into a SHORAD platform through the partnership with Moog illustrates the trend of leveraging existing platforms to respond to emerging threats without initiating entirely new vehicle programs. This approach reduces both costs and timelines while making full use of already proven vehicle reliability.

The unveiling of the Foxhound SHORAD at DSEI 2025 confirms the ability of established defence industry players such as General Dynamics and Moog to reconfigure vehicles in line with current operational needs. The Foxhound, already established in British service, demonstrates how a platform originally designed for protected patrols can be adapted to advanced missions such as counter-drone operations and short-range air defence. The proliferation of such adaptable vehicles reflects a broader industry shift toward modular designs, enabling armed forces to respond more quickly to evolving threats while maintaining proven protection and mobility.

Written by Matt Delvoye - Defense Analyst, Army Recognition

Matt Delvoye holds degrees in political science from the University of Liège and the University of Brussels, with a specialization in international relations as well as defense and security policy. He works as a defense analyst at Army Recognition, where he covers international defense events and provides daily reporting on military equipment and industry developments.