GM Defense establishes UK entity in Leamington Spa and Silverstone, GM Defense UK, and accelerates Team LionStrike delivery planning.
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Press Release, Farnborough, 19 January 2026: GM Defense has launched GM Defense UK, creating a dedicated presence to support the UK’s defence priorities and strengthen sovereign capability.
Operating from GM’s sites in Leamington Spa and Silverstone, the new entity will lead all UK Ministry of Defence engagement and anchor GM’s wider NATO and European defence activity—boosting UK industry and export potential. The launch comes as GM Defense intensifies its delivery and support planning for Team LionStrike, ahead of bidding for the UK’s upcoming Light Mobility Vehicle (LMV) programme.
“Standing up GM Defense UK is a major milestone in our long-term commitment to the United Kingdom,” said Bradley Watters, vice president of international business development. “Team LionStrike is different because GM—backed by more than a century of engineering excellence—is directly embedded as the vehicle OEM. That level of involvement delivers real capability, efficiency and long-term assurance for the UK Armed Forces. Establishing a UK business is essential to providing that through-life support.”
The announcement follows the UK MoD’s recent LMV Industry Day. It builds on a strong year of momentum for Team LionStrike, including the debut of GM Defense’s General Support Utility Platform (GSUP) at DSEI and a UK Ride & Drive event highlighting four proven COTS light and utility vehicles.
Team LionStrike—composed of GM Defense with NP Aerospace, BAE Systems, and multiple UK-based subject matter experts—aims to deliver a modern, scalable mobility solution for the British Army while supporting the Land Industrial Strategy. The team is building a sustainable UK supply chain, backed by GM’s global parts distribution network, the new UK hub, and the experience of NP Aerospace and BAE Systems in sustaining the UK Military.
“We are fully committed to the UK LMV programme and to investing in British industry and communities. GM Defense UK strengthens our ability to fully support Team LionStrike and deliver exactly what the British Army needs—now and for decades to come,” Watters added.
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