19 Sep 2024

Babcock to build a further 53 Jackal 3s for the British Army

Babcock, in partnership with Supacat, has been awarded a contract to build an additional 53 High Mobility Transporter (HMT) Jackal 3s for the British Army.

The Jackal is the most versatile high-mobility weapons platform in its class, equally capable of reconnaissance, patrol and logistic tasks. It is designed by Supacat of Honiton; is British built and battle-proven in Afghanistan.  This new contract for a 6-wheeled ‘extenda’ variant will be known as the Jackal 3(E).  The additional axle enables greater load carrying whilst still maintaining exemplary off-road performance, capable of speeds up to 120km/h.   

Initially developed to meet an urgent operational requirement for Afghanistan, the British Army has made Jackal integral to its land tactics and operations with Jackal variants used for deep battlespace reconnaissance, rapid assault, fire support roles and for convoy protection. 

Earlier this year, together with Supacat, we started production on 70 Jackal 3s under one of the first contracts to deliver on the UK’s Land Industrial Strategy. 

This subsequent order is testament to the close working relationship between the British Army, the Ministry of Defence – Defence Equipment & Support, Babcock and Supacat. 

Production will commence on this order in early 2025 at our Devonport manufacturing facility with delivery of the vehicles expected in early 2026, securing 100 Babcock jobs in the South West. 

This successful programme is directly helping to fulfil the economic potential of the region with nearly all of the programme’s supply chain sourced in the UK and 50 percent specifically from the South West.  

The programme is also helping people back into employment. Our Skills-based Work Academy Programme (SWAP) participants can earn health and safety qualifications, wellbeing in the workplace training, mindset coaching and support in finding employment, with the potential for securing employment with Babcock after attending SWAP.  So far 11 SWAP attendees have been awarded full time employment on the Jackal Programme.

Tom Newman, Chief Executive of our Land Sector said: “This contract delivers a critical boost to the British Army with a vehicle that is the most capable and versatile in its class.  Babcock is here to ensure that the British Army is ready to fight and win wars on land and while doing so, I am very proud that we are also securing jobs in the South West and delivering on the Land Industrial Strategy.” 

Phil Applegarth, Managing Director, Supacat said: „Firstly, we are enormously proud that Supacat’s Jackal 3 ‘Extenda’ is now adding to the Army’s Land Fleet which will help support CGSs intent of increasing lethality with a modular high mobility platform. We have demonstrated the modularity and the ease of integrating specific mission winning systems and we look forward with continuing our collaboration with the UK MoD and our industry partners in the near future. Secondly, we are enormously pleased that our partnership with Babcock and Devonport continues to produce Jackal 3 and now the Jackal 3 ‘extenda’ following The British Army’s Land Industrial strategy and the huge benefits to both the UK and local economies through social value.  Coming so soon after last year’s order is a real boon for the company”.