Babcock Unveils 120mm Mortar Carrier on Supacat Platform in Collaboration with ST Engineering.

In collaboration with Singapore-based defense company ST Engineering, the British Company Babcock has showcased its latest military innovation, the 120mm Ground Deployed Advanced Mortar System (GDAMS), at DVD 2024. Mounted on a Supacat HMT 6x6 vehicle platform, the system is designed to significantly enhance the UK Armed Forces' indirect fire capabilities with increased mobility, firepower, and precision.
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British Company Babcock, in collaboration with ST Engineering from Singapore, displays its new self-120mm propelled mortar carrier at DVD 2024 in Millbrook, United Kingdom. (Picture source: Army Recognition Group)

Developed in collaboration with ST Engineering, a leading Singaporean defense company, the system combines advanced firepower and operational flexibility. Production will take place at Babcock’s facility in Devonport, Plymouth, utilizing a UK-based supply chain. This project represents the first UK-manufactured 120mm mortar system in decades. If selected for the UK’s indirect fires program, it could deliver substantial economic benefits to the South West region, creating up to 70 skilled jobs and strengthening the local supply chain.

The 120mm GDAMS (Ground Deployed Advanced Mortar System ) can be operated by a two-person crew and boasts rapid deployment and stowage times of just 15 seconds, providing unmatched mobility and responsiveness in high-tempo operations. Its hinged mortar system is vehicle-agnostic, allowing it to be mounted on various platforms, including in-service vehicles like the Jackal, Coyote, and Foxhound. The GDAMS is compatible with a wide range of standard smoothbore munitions, including high explosive, illumination, infrared (IR) illumination, and smoke rounds. It also features precision and extended range capabilities, reaching up to 9km, and supports manual, electronic, and smart fuzes, making it a versatile choice for various mission profiles.

The 120mm GDAMS is further equipped with advanced fire control and targeting systems, enhancing accuracy and effectiveness while reducing the time to engage targets. A patented blast diffuser minimizes noise exposure, improving stealth and ensuring crew safety. The system's fully digitalized communication system speeds up operations and reduces the risk of human error when inputting coordinates, resulting in faster deployment and more precise adjustments.

Tom Newman, Chief Executive of Babcock’s Land sector, emphasized the importance of GDAMS, stating, "The Babcock 120mm GDAMS can help support the modernization of the British Army with increased firepower while also improving the availability, affordability, and capability of critical equipment.

Brigadier General (Ret.) Jin Kiat Chua, Head of ST Engineering’s International Business, described GDAMS as "the pre-eminent tactical firing solution that pushes power to the edge and increases firepower." He highlighted the partnership's role in delivering a sovereign solution aligned with the UK’s Land Industrial Strategy.

Mounted on the highly mobile Supacat HMT 6x6 platform, GDAMS offers unrivaled versatility on the battlefield. Its Devonport-based production facility in the South Devon Freeport Zone also opens future export opportunities, strengthening defense collaborations with allied nations while advancing the UK’s defense industry.