Supacat Presents Jackal 3 HMT Extenda Mk3 Now in Production for British Army at DVD 2024.

At the DVD 2024 event in Millbrook, Supacat, in partnership with Babcock, unveiled the Jackal 3 HMT Extenda Mk3, which entered production for the British Army in February 2024. This high-mobility vehicle is based on Supacat's proven platform and adopts a modular approach, allowing users to configure the vehicle according to different mission profiles and operational needs. The production of the Jackal 3 HMT Extenda Mk3 addresses a crucial operational requirement for the British armed forces and aligns with the United Kingdom's Land Industrial Strategy.
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The production of the Jackal 3 HMT Extenda Mk3 by Supacat and Babcock represents an important advancement for the British Army (Picture source: ArmyRecognition)

The Jackal 3 HMT Extenda Mk3, in its 4x4 version, can carry a payload of up to 2,500 kg. Its modularity allows for conversion into a 6x6 version, increasing its payload capacity to 4,000 kg. This flexibility enables the vehicle to be adapted for a wide range of missions. The double-wishbone suspension system with airbags allows for adjustable ride height based on terrain and load, reducing physical impact on the crew and onboard equipment. Additionally, the Jackal 3 HMT Extenda Mk3 is fully compatible with air transport, including by helicopter, ensuring strategic mobility. The vehicle is also equipped with a blast and ballistic protection system, allowing for significant adaptability based on the operational environment.

The production of the Jackal 3 HMT Extenda Mk3 by Supacat and Babcock represents an important advancement for the British Army. Seventy vehicles are currently in production, with 62 being manufactured at Babcock’s facility in Devonport and the remaining eight at Supacat’s facility in Dunkeswell. 

The Jackal 3 benefits from more than a decade of development by Supacat, offering significant improvements over the Jackal 2, including enhanced crew protection and increased load capacity. Initially a 4x4 vehicle, the Jackal 3 can be transformed into a six-wheel-drive vehicle to double its carrying capacity.

The production project for the Jackal 3 HMT Extenda Mk3 is one of the first to realize the UK's Land Industrial Strategy. Close collaboration between Babcock, Supacat, the British Army, and the Ministry of Defence's (MOD) Defence Equipment & Support (DE&S) team has ensured that the vehicle's operational and safety requirements are fully met. The production facility in Devonport was specifically developed for this project, incorporating advanced technologies such as the 'Pulse' software, which optimizes efficiency during vehicle assembly. Located in the South Devon Freeport, this facility also benefits from economic advantages to ensure the sustainability of the vehicle production.

The production program for the Jackal 3 HMT Extenda Mk3 directly contributes to the economic development of the Southwest region of the UK, with nearly 50% of the supply chain based in the area. The contract has already created more than 100 new jobs across Babcock and Supacat's sites and includes a focus on workforce skills development. This collaboration enhances future production capacity and demonstrates both companies' commitment to providing cutting-edge vehicles for the British forces.

Major General Darren Crook CBE, Director of the Land Equipment Operating Centre at DE&S, emphasizes that "this collaboration between Supacat and Babcock will provide modern combat vehicles for the British Armed Forces and our allies, while developing and maintaining key land defense engineering skills in a valued part of the Southwest of England."

David Lockwood, CEO of Babcock, also highlighted the importance of this production in the current context of global instability, while Nick Ames, CEO of Supacat, underscored the culmination of 25 years of development and the company's pride in delivering a vehicle that British soldiers can rely on.