Highlights

Very rare ex-military vehicle initially built for the Royal
Marines
Extensive heavy-duty upgrades fitted for military use
Thought to be 1 of only 67 Remus examples of the Winter Water
Removable fibreglass roof

The Appeal

The Land Rover Defender, arguably the best 4x4 built and

certainly one of the most renowned. While very competent

in its original format, understandably the Royal Marines

needed something even more rugged and capable. Thus,

the Wolf Winter Water was born, based on a L316 Land

Rover Defender 90 but heavily re-worked from the ground

up.

The 300TDI engine was chosen due to its reliability, simple

electronics over successors which meant a better wade

depth and the fact that Royal Marine mechanics were

already familiar with its format. Designed to work at -50

degrees Celsius and wade to windscreen depth, the

following upgrades show that Land Rover understood the

assignment. Military spec tyres and steel rims were fitted as

standard for strength and simplicity.

The steel chassis was also fully treated against corrosion,

receiving Dinitrol injection within. The Remus variant was

an even higher spec model for the Royal Marines, boasting

Webasto rear oil heaters, engine oil heater, short throw

gearbox, updated rear axle, infrared insulation, sound

deadening and a raised top mount air intake with fuel

breather. A ski rack was also fitted as well as an escape

hatch, bonnet mounted tools and a roll cage. Furthermore,

examples with the removable fibreglass roof are even rarer than the soft top variant.

It's fair to say that the Wolf Winter Water took the already very capable Defender and

converted it to be the best and meanest off roader possible. If it's good enough for the

Royal Marines, then it will surely be good enough for you!

Vehicle specification

Year 1999

Make Land Rover

Model Defender

Colour Green

Odometer 67,588 miles (108,142 Kilometres on odometer) on 14th May 2026

Engine size 2500

The History and Paperwork

MOT until 01/10/2026 with no advisories
Manufactured 08/06/1999 for the Ministry of Defence with MOD history
First registered as a civilian vehicle to the buyer’s company name and later transferred into
his personal name in the UK 01/04/2021Selling to purchase car for teenage son
Current owner purchased the vehicle 01/10/2021 directly from L Jackson and Co, who sell
on behalf of Ministry of Defence
Purpose built for the MOD to function at -50 degrees Celsius and wade up to 1.5m
Engine restored by the military 02/09/2009
50,000km, thought to have had an engine rebuild and any damage / heavily worn areas
repaired or replaced
Presented in Nato Green with the exception of the engine painted in Blue Duck Egg paint,
done as standard during restoration
MOD history plus the current owner has kept all service history from private ownership
Last serviced 04/10/2025 and current owner advises the
vehicle will be serviced again prior to sale
New exhaust centre box and tailpipe fitted 23/03/2023 and autumn 2025 respectively
Being a Remus example there are the following
upgrades: R380 5 speed gearbox, transfer box with hi/lo ratio and centre diff lock, Exmoor
front seats, and genuine Exmoor Wolf rear bench seats
anti-vibration acoustic matting, front and rear disc brakes,
24V electronics, power assisted steering, roll cage,
heavy duty chassis and axles
side mounted full size spare wheel
NATO tow hitch and cold climate thermal insulation
Ski Rack also fitted to the roof
Racking for radio equipment and rifle holders were removed prior to current ownership
Spare bonnet trim and top cyclone snorkel air filter included with vehicle
Date In Service Certificate included with vehicle
Overall, a very good condition example of a rare ex-military vehicle

The Interior

Exmoor front seats remain in excellent condition
Roll cage fitted as standard
The interior of this Wolf Winter Water remains in very good
to excellent condition overall. The front Exmoor seats are
without any rips or tears and were possibly replaced during the restoration in 2015 due to
their very good condition.
The dashboard offers a map reading light and warning light cover for use when in convoy
mode.
The exterior lights are switchable for use during convoy when lights need to be kept to a
minimum.
The current owner has had rear seatbelts fitted. The rear bench seats are Exmoor Wolf
seats with no rips or damage.
Webasto oil heaters also present under the benches to help keep all occupants warm.
The RF insulation is present, intact and in very good
condition as is the roll cage.
The steering wheel is showing some signs of wear and has a cover included.
the dashboard fuse box cover is missing
apart from these minor details all other interior features are reported to function as
expected
Finally, the current owner has had a battery cut off switch fitted.THE EXTERIOR
Nato Green paintwork remains in good to very good
condition
4 relatively new (18 months old) matching Goodyear G90 off-road tyres all with excellent
tread
Matching Nato Green steel rims remain in good condition, with minor corrosion around the
wheel nuts
Rare Remus example with removable fibreglass roof and escape hatch
It's clear from the exterior that this Wolf Winter Water means business. The Nato Green
paintwork has possibly been resprayed in 2015 during restoration and remains in
good to very good condition overall
there is a small dent to the near side front wing and some chips and scratches present
throughout but these are very minimal given the original military condition of this vehicle.
Bonnet mounted tools are included and remain in good condition as does the full-size
side mounted spare wheel.
The fibreglass roof is removable which also has an escape hatch, both of which were
standard on the rarer Remus examples.
A ski rack is also mounted to the roof which remains in good condition
Finally, this example also possesses the desirable Nato tow hitch mounted to the rear
bumper.

The Mechanics

2.5L 300TDI engine mated to an R380 5-speed manual gearbox
Hi/lo ratio gearbox with centre differential lock
Heavy duty chassis and axles
24V electrics with front and rear disc brakes fitted
The MOD opted for the tried and tested 300TDI engines for
their Wolf Winter Waters, this example was reportedly
restored in 2015 and received an engine rebuild hence the
Blue Duck Egg paint. The engine starts and runs well free
from any knocks, bangs or smoke. The heavy-duty chassis
was injected with Dinitrol to help combat corrosion prior to
entering service and the axles were also uprated to handle
more extreme terrain and loads.24-volt electrics were standard for the Winter Wolf Waters,
giving for better functionality in the field. Further upgrades
include vented front and rear disc brakes and power assisted
steering, both of which are very desirable for the driver. A
raised top mount air intake with fuel breather and
waterproofing of all switches and electronics mean this
example has no problem when wading, for which it was designed. For colder weather
there is a Webasto oil heater in the rear and for the engine oil fitted which is reported to
function as expected. The last service was carried out late 2025. The water pump, belts,
fuel return pipes and all oil vent pipes replaced.
The fuel lift pump and has also been replaced, alongside cleaning of the fuel sedimenter
during the current ownership
This Defender is no different from all Defenders, particularly of this vintage, in that there are
the usual minor engine oil weeps around the oil filter and sump.SUMMARY
This rare Wolf Winter Water, Remus variant is presented in
very good condition overall. The already capable Defender
was heavily modified and upgraded for the most rugged
military use which can now be enjoyed by private owners.
The current owner has taken great care of this example
which can be seen in its condition. Furthermore, a service
was carried out last year. As ex-military examples
go, this Remus variant is not only one of the rarer but more
desirable given its condition. Now comes the time for this
fine example of the ultimate off roader with a military history to find its new home!

Summary

This rare Wolf Winter Water, Remus variant is presented in

very good condition overall. The already capable Defender

was heavily modified and upgraded for the most rugged

military use which can now be enjoyed by private owners.

The current owner has taken great care of this example

which can be seen in its condition. Furthermore, a service

was carried out last year. As ex-military examples

go, this Remus variant is not only one of the rarer but more

desirable given its condition.

Now comes the time for this

fine example of the ultimate off roader with a military history to find its new home!

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