British defense engineering contractor Babcock International and tactical mobility specialist Supacat have completed production of the Jackal 3 vehicle fleet for the British Army, marking the milestone with the rollout of the final unit from Babcock’s manufacturing facility in Devonport, Plymouth. The comprehensive program delivered 123 Jackal 3 platforms to the armed forces, comprising both standard 4×4 vehicles and 6×6 Jackal 3 Extenda variants, with the final six-wheeled vehicle now undergoing pre-service testing before joining operational units. Designed to fulfill the British Army’s critical requirement for high-mobility, deep-battlespace reconnaissance, rapid assault, and fire support, the versatile vehicle family provides commanders with a highly adaptable weapons platform equally proficient in combat patrol, force protection, and forward tactical logistics tasks. The successful delivery program highlights an effective sovereign industrial collaboration between prime contractor Babcock and original equipment manufacturer Supacat, combining large-scale industrial assembly with specialized defense design expertise. Following an initial British Army order for 70 Jackal 3 vehicles in 4×4 configuration in early 2024, the UK Ministry of Defence expanded the contract in September of the same year with a follow-on order for 53 units equipped with the 6×6 Extenda module. To execute the contract at pace while maintaining rigorous quality standards, 115 vehicles were manufactured at Babcock’s dedicated assembly plant in Plymouth, while eight platforms were built at Supacat’s facility in Dunkeswell, near Honiton.
Louise Atkinson, Chief Executive, Land and Mission Systems, said: “The British Army needs a highly practical weapons platform with exemplary off-road performance, and with Supacat’s Jackal 3, we’ve delivered a fleet of vehicles that meets this requirement. To have reached this milestone demonstrates Babcock’s commitment and expertise in delivering high-quality military vehicles to the armed forces. This critical programme required a large amount of collaboration, and I’d like to thank everyone for their tireless work in making it a success.”
Phil Applegarth, Director, Head of Supacat, added: “We are all delighted to have collaborated with Babcock on the successful manufacture and delivery of this important British Army programme. By combining Babcock’s extensive expertise in defence support and production with our own innovative design capabilities and agile approach, we have delivered together the latest Jackal variants to the British Army. This programme is a great example of what can be achieved through strong collaboration, and we are incredibly proud to have played a role in enhancing the Army’s fleet with these highly capable vehicles and supporting UK defence.”
Major General Lizzie Faithfull-Davies CB CBE, Director Land Environment, National Armaments – Material: “This marks a significant milestone with the completion of the Jackal 3 (Extenda) platform build programme. Building on the successful delivery of the initial 70 Jackal 3 vehicles, this enhanced capability reflects our continued commitment to providing the Army with highly capable, adaptable mobility on operations. This achievement is testament to the strength of our enduring partnership with Babcock and Supacat. Their responsiveness, engineering expertise and collaborative approach has been central to delivering a platform that meets operational needs while maintaining pace and quality. We look forward to continuing this close relationship as we develop and sustain capability into the future.”
Defence Minister Lord Coaker: “These vehicles, built right here in Devonport, will give our forces one of the most capable high-mobility platforms available. The Defence Investment Plan reconfirms the vital role that land vehicles play in our armed forces’ capability – ensuring land forces can seize or defend ground in all environments and conditions. It is exactly this kind of collaboration between British industry and our armed forces that helps support local industry and demonstrates that defence is an engine for growth.”
Engineered around Supacat’s High Mobility Transporter (HMT) Extenda Mk3 platform, the Jackal 3 features an innovative modular architecture that enables units to convert the standard four-wheel-drive platform into a six-wheel-drive configuration using a drop-in third axle module. The vehicle’s high-performance powertrain and mobility suite integrate a Cummins diesel engine, an Allison automatic transmission, Jankel blast and ballistic armor protection with blast-mitigating seating, and a specialized Fox Racing Shox height-adjustable air suspension system. This air suspension can be lowered onto bump-stops to create a stable firing position when stationary or raised to provide up to 15 inches (380 mm) of ground clearance for navigating severe obstacles, allowing crews to bypass conventional routes susceptible to enemy ambushes. Capable of attaining maximum road speeds of 80 mph (130 km/h) and off-road speeds up to 49 mph (79 km/h), the vehicle accommodates various heavy armament options including 12.7 mm heavy machine guns, 7.62 mm general-purpose machine guns, and 40 mm automatic grenade launchers. The arrival of the complete Jackal 3 fleet substantially enhances the British Army’s tactical maneuvering agility across diverse operational environments, reinforcing light cavalry and reconnaissance units with improved firepower, endurance, and crew protection. By fulfilling this procurement milestone, Babcock and Supacat have established an enduring sustainment baseline for the British Army’s light vehicle fleet, ensuring rapid spare parts availability and engineering support throughout the platform’s service life. As the final Extenda units finish field trials and enter service, defense leaders emphasize that the continuous evolution of the HMT family ensures the UK military maintains strategic maneuver advantages and battlefield adaptability against emerging peer and asymmetric threats.
