The FV432 was the standard APC used by the British Army since the 1960s, replacing the Saracen, but also used in a wide variety of different roles throughout its service life. The FV432 is built with a conventional tracked APC layout, similar to the US M113, and features an all-welded steel hull which offers protection against small arms fire and shrapnel. It can carry up as many as 10 fully equipped troops in a rear compartment with seats that can be folded up to allow different cargo loads. Armament varies depending on the variant, but usually consists of 7.62-mm machine guns, often fitted in a turret which is also equipped with eight grenade dischargers. NBC protection is provided as standard while amphibious capability is optional and has been removed on most British Army vehicles. FV432s have been used in numerous conflicts in British service, including the Gulf War but they have since been mostly replaced by the Warrior MCV. A small number have been used in the recent wars in Afghanistan and Iraq where they have been fitted with additional appliqué armor.

The first prototypes of the FV432 family were delivered in 1961 and production vehicles known as the Mk. 1 were completed in 1963, and were followed up with the Mk. 2 with the NBC system in a different location. It was used in a myriad of roles including ambulance, command vehicle, 81-mm mortar carrier, FV434 maintenance carrier, minelayer, FV436 radar platform for the Thales Cymbeline mortar locating radar, recovery vehicle, as well as specialized vehicles for the Royal Artillery (with the BATES Battlefield Artillery Target Engagement system), Royal Engineers (with a Giant Viper mine clearing trailer, and later the US Volcano system), Royal Signals as the FV439, and the FV438 Wavell with twin launchers for the Swingfire ATGW. A modernized version of the basic APC variant is known as the Mk. 3 Bulldog with appliqué armor, Kevlar plates for mine protection, as well as upgraded engine and machinery. These remain in British Army service complementing the Warrior. The hull of the FV432 has also been used as the platform for the FV433 Abbot self-propelled 105-mm gun and is described separately.