9th April 2025 was a landmark day for Supacat as the ‘keys’ for JACKAL 3, the latest version of the HMT, were handed over to the UK CGS.
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Press Release, Dunkeswell, 16 April 2025: Last week, we were thrilled to host Chief of General Staff (CGS), General Sir Roly Walker KCB, DSO, along with several of his staff members and our local Member of Parliament, Richard Foord, at Supacat. This visit was not just a formality; it represented a significant milestone in the company’s history, highlighting the strengthening ties between our organisation, the British Army, UK Ministry of Defence and UK Government.
Phil Applegarth, the Director, Head of Supacat, explains the importance of this occasion, stating: “The 9th April 2025, was a landmark day for Supacat as we proudly handed over the ‘keys’ to our latest and most advanced version of the HMT, the JACKAL 3. The occasion was marked by our CEO Nick Ames handing the keys to the Chief of the General Staff, General Sir Roly Walker KCB, DSO with Richard Foord MP who was present to witness this important event within his constituency.
The HMT is designed and manufactured by Supacat and been in service with the British Army since 2003 delivering battle proven JACKAL 1 and JACKAL 2 until 2010. Since 2010 our export customers have demanded many enhancements and improvements to the vehicle that the British Army was, until today, not benefiting from. The JACKAL 3 is an updated version of the JACKAL 2, examples of those improvements are enhanced Roll Over Protection system, increased payload, improved Electro Magnetic Compatibility (EMC) performance and improved environmental protection for the crew.
To deliver this contract within two years has been challenging and achieved through a solid collaboration with Babcock – Land sector to build the majority of our vehicles in their Devonport facility that sits within a Freeport. In line with the Land Industrial Strategy, and the need to create a strong resilient national supply chain, we are proud to say over 95% of the supply chain is sourced from our UK industrial partners, of which a considerable amount are SMEs.
Shortly, the production line will pivot to the production of the JACKAL 3 extenda (J3e), which is the extended (or 6×6) version of the JACKAL, offering increased payload and mobility whilst the JACKAL 3 is fielded to the Light Cavalry and other specialist units. Delivery of all 123, JACKAL 3 and JACKAL 3e will be complete by Christmas 2025.
The JACKAL 3 vehicles and an active production line, are strategic assets to the National Arsenal and Land Industrial base. Supacat seeks to support the in-service fleets and other UK Land Mobility Programmes, such as 120mm Mortar and GBAD by providing a truly modular HMT chassis and reducing the British Army’s chassis types. We are also close to growing our global HMT fleets with further export orders, which will endorse the Army’s Land Industrial Strategy and illustrate the virtuous circle of investing in UK defence equipment.
The JACKAL 3 / JACKAL 3e contract has created more than 250 jobs in the South West region, enabling the business to employ an additional 20 Apprentices supporting the production contract.”
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