Developed from the Carden-Loyd tankettes of the interwar period, the Universal Carrier became the most widely produced armored vehicle in history, and undoubtedly the weapon that gave the British Army the mobility to become a truly motorized force in the same way as the Jeep and the Half-Track were to the US. It was originally designed as a weapons carrier with sufficient protection against small-arms fire, but it was eventually used for a myriad of roles thanks to its inherent versatility. The design had a common driver and gunner compartment at the front although noise from the radiator fan prevented conversation. The engine and gearbox were located at the center of the vehicle which effectively separated the troop compartment into two. However, this configuration allowed armament to be mounted on top of the engine, effectively making it a weapons vehicle as well as a weapons carrier. Mobility was excellent thanks to a Horstmann suspension and a steering mechanism that allowed sharp turns. In its most common incarnation, it was used to transport an infantry section or a Bren light machine gun section, in the latter case this gave rise to its more common name, the Bren Carrier, although this only applied to a specific subset of vehicles. Combat service was extensive among British and Commonwealth forces beginning in 1940, and production continued until 1945. This was undertaken in Britain (35,000), Canada (29,000), Australia (5,600), New Zealand (620) and the US (14,000). It remained in British service until the 1950s.

Origins of the Universal Carrier go back to 1921 from a requirement for a carrier for 18-pounder ammunition. The Mk. I was the basic design with a riveted hull and a Ford engine. This was improved in the Mk. II that also featured better storage, while the Mk. III had an all-welded construction in addition to further improvements to engine and storage. Other variants included the Carrier Armoured Observation Post, used mostly for artillery, as well as the Wasp flamethrower. Some were also modified to tow 2-pounder and 6-pounder anti-tank guns. Captured vehicles were often fitted with a triple Panzerschreck mount and known as the Panzerjäger Bren. US-built units were known as T16. These were produced by Ford and supplied mostly to Canadian forces.