The record
BT operates a small number of long-wheelbase Defenders as tactical command units for the communications side of major incidents — restoring exchanges and networks after floods, fires or cable strikes. The britishtelephones.com vehicle archive records this example, registration BX59 DLE (registered 2009–10), photographed on display at the Emergency Fleet Exhibition: a white Defender 110 utility wagon with its rear side windows panelled over, two rows of fluorescent yellow and orange battenburg along the lower body, 'Tactical Command Unit' and the BT globe on the rear quarters, a snorkel and black A-bar, and a full-length roof rack carrying an iNetVu auto-deploy satellite dish, a grey aerodynamic equipment pod, a white radome, whip and pump-up masts, twin rectangular spot lamps and a low-profile amber light bar at the front of the rack — no blue lights. Stabiliser legs at the corners level the vehicle when the dish is deployed. Fleet number and production numbers are not recorded.
The registry's model reproduces the wagon with the panelled rear quarters, battenburg and decals, the roof rack with its satellite, radome and mast payload, twin spot lamps and amber bar, snorkel, A-bar, chequer-plate steps and stowed rear stabiliser legs.
