 It was to use the equally new 8 cylinder Rolls-Royce B series engine, the B80.The contract for development of the FV600 chassis was awarded to Alvis in October 1947.By 1950, events of the Malayan Emergency had overtaken the British Army and with an urgent need for their first armoured personnel carrier, protected against guerilla ambush, the FV603 Saracen took priority over the Saladin.