The U.K. Ministry of Defence (MoD) has ordered a fleet of nearly 200 new armored vehicles under an approximately $108 million contract with vehicle manufacturer Supacat and teammate Babcock to support frontline troops on operations.
The order is for about 110, state-of-the-art, enhanced Jackal 2 vehicles and more than 70 Coyote Tactical Support Vehicles.
“These impressive vehicles will give our troops increased protection on frontline operations and with their purchase, we are showing our commitment to provide our service personnel with the very best equipment we possibly can,” Minister for Defence Equipment and Support Quentin Davies said, announcing the contract during a Supacat vehicle drive day at the Long Valley Test Ground in Aldershot.
“This contract comes as our newest armored vehicles, Mastiff 2 and Ridgback, go to Afghanistan for the first time, underlining our ability to deliver kit quickly to where it is needed,” he said.
The enhanced Jackal 2 features improved maneuverability, improved reliability and will be able to carry an extra crew member. Jackal 2 will have a 6.7-litre engine giving it a top speed of 80mph on roads and 55mph cross-country. Jackal 2 will have a crew of three.
The Coyote Tactical Support Vehicle (TSV (Light)) is based on a 6×6 derivative of the Jackal. It will support the go-anywhere, high-mobility Jackals across the harsh terrain in Afghanistan.
Both vehicles have been bought as part of the billion dollar Protected Patrol Vehicles package unveiled by the Secretary of State for Defence John Hutton, last October.
Jackal 2 and Coyote will begin deliveries to the MoD this summer and in the fall will start supporting operations in Afghanistan.
Supacat is the prime contractor and will be responsible for design, development, prototyping, integration and overall program management. Nick Ames, Supacat Managing Director, said: “The enhanced Jackal 2 and Coyote Tactical Support Vehicle (Light) will increase troops’ protection and their operational effectiveness.”
Babcock is responsible for detailed production planning, purchasing and manufacture at their Devonport dockyard facility. Roger Gillespie, Babcock’s Equipment Solutions Managing Director, said, “We have previously worked closely with Supacat in delivering more than 200 Jackals to the MoD and this contract will further demonstrate that this method of design, production and delivery is the best for MoD’s needs.”