Babcock, in partnership with Supacat, will build an additional 53 High Mobility Transporter (HMT) Jackal 3s for the British Army. Earlier this year, Babcock and Supacat started production on 70 Jackal 3s under one of the first contracts to deliver on the UK’s Land Industrial Strategy.  

The announcement of the contract for a futher 53 Jackal vehicles was made at the British Army's 2024 DVD exhibition at Millbrook Proving Ground. 

Production on this latest order will commence in early 2025 at Babcock’s Devonport manufacturing facility, with delivery of the vehicles expected in early 2026.

Initially developed to meet an urgent operational requirement for Afghanistan, the Jackal is a high-mobility weapons platform which can be used for reconnaissance, patrol and logistics tasks.

The new contract for a six-wheeled “Extenda” variant will be known as the Jackal 3(E).  The additional axle enables greater load carrying whilst maintaining good off-road performance, capable of speeds up to 120km/h.   

British Army Jackal variants are used for deep battlespace reconnaissance, rapid assault, fire support roles and convoy protection. 

Supacat’s managing director, Phil Applegarth said the Jackal 3 “Extenda” will add to the Army’s Land Fleet increasing lethality with a modular high mobility platform.

Babcok also announced at DVD 2024 the first UK-manufactured 120mm mortar system in decades. The l 120mm Ground Deployed Advanced Mortar System (GDAMS) is the result of close collaboration between Babcock and Singapore's ST Engineering. Based on the technology of ST Engineering, the 120mm GDAMS is a vehicle-mounted, hinged mortar system developed to address an urgent requirement to enhance UK Armed Forces weaponry.

“GDAMS is the pre-eminent tactical firing solution that pushes power to the edge and increase firepower," said Brigadier General (Ret) Jin Kiat Chua, head of ST Engineering’s International Business, Defence and Public Security. "This collaboration combines ST Engineering’s extensive mortar expertise with Babcock’s production capabilities to deliver a sovereign solution that aligns with UK’s Land Industrial Strategy and enhances the combat effectiveness of the British Army.”

The GDAMS will be built at Babcock’s production facility in Devonport, using a UK supply chain and will be put forward as a solution for the Army's Direct Fires Programme.

Tom Newman, chief executive of Babcock’s Land business, said the 120mm GDAMS can help support the modernisation of the British Army with increased firepower and increased availability, affordability and capability