British Army Inducts Made-in India Royal Enfield Himalayan 450
Royal Enfield is a popular name among the riding community not just in India but around the world. The Indian brand that was once British is now manufactured in India and is exported to many countries. Royal Enfield recently entered into a new partnership with the British Army and supplied new Himalayan 450 motorcycles to them.
Talking about the new partnership, Lieutenant Colonel Nick Foulerton said, “We are delighted to partner with Royal Enfield. As part of the Army Motorised Adventure Programme, this unique association with a fleet of Himalayan 450s offers serving personnel the opportunity to not only get onto two wheels, but to learn off-road skills and ultimately go on to participate in some of the great expeditions we embark on both on home soil and abroad. The British Army has an association with Royal Enfield that dates back to World War I, so we’re delighted to reignite this partnership and look forward to this developing over the coming years.”
The motorcycles have been inducted into the British Army for training and personnel development programmes. Royal Enfield has supplied four new Adventure 450 motorcycles to the Army and more units are expected to be supplied in the coming months.
This new initiative or partnership will support the Army Motorised Adventure Group (AMA). The newly added Royal Enfield motorcycles will become an integral part of the British Army. The motorcycles will be participating in the British Army’s upcoming events including the 2025 Army Motorsport Day at Thruxton Circuit, Exercise Mudmaster and Exercise Roadmaster.
British Army personnel will also be present at future Royal Enfield events like MCL 2025 (Motorcycle Live at the NEC, 15–23 November) and other key events in 2026. This is not the first time the British Army is using Royal Enfield motorcycles. The Army has used models like the Flying Flea during the war, and that model holds a special place in the British Army’s history.
As mentioned above, Royal Enfield was once a British brand. Post-independence, the Indian Army inducted the Royal Enfield Bullet motorcycles for patrolling, as it was a reliable option at that time. Back then, Royal Enfield was British, but now the tables have turned. Royal Enfield is now an Indian brand, and we are supplying motorcycles to the British Army.
The British Army has opted for the Royal Enfield Himalayan for obvious reasons. They have chosen the new-generation Himalayan as it is one of the most modern Royal Enfield motorcycles in the lineup. It is an extremely capable motorcycle that performs well both on and off-road. The British Army chose the Himalayan 450 probably because of its do-it-all nature.
Another factor that likely attracted the British Army is the price. It is a value-for-money product when compared to the competition. The Himalayan 450 Adventure is powered by a 452cc, single-cylinder, fuel-injected engine that generates 40 bhp and 40 Nm of peak torque. It is mated to a 6-speed gearbox and comes with assist and slipper clutch, switchable ABS, and many more features.