Babcock begins Jackal 3 Extenda production for British Army

Babcock has confirmed that the first Jackal 3 Extenda all-terrain vehicles from the program’s second production tranche have rolled off the assembly line at its Devonport facility, marking a new phase in deliveries for the British Army.

According to a company statement dated December 17, 2025, Babcock is manufacturing 53 six-wheeled Jackal 3 Extenda variants, designated Jackal 3 (E), in partnership with UK defense manufacturer Supacat. The vehicles are being produced for the British Army as part of an ongoing program to modernize high-mobility ground platforms.

As noted by the company, the Extenda variant represents an evolution of the Jackal 3 family, adding a third axle to increase payload capacity while preserving the vehicle’s off-road mobility. The Jackal platform is intended to support a wide range of missions, including reconnaissance, patrol, and logistics tasks.

The Jackal 3 program is being delivered in tranches. Babcock said the latest milestone follows the completion of tranche one, which saw the delivery of 70 standard four-wheel Jackal 3 vehicles to the British Army. The second tranche focuses on the six-wheel Extenda configuration.

Designed by Supacat in Honiton and built by Babcock’s engineering team in Devonport, the Jackal 3 (E) is intended to provide additional flexibility for units that require greater load-carrying capability without sacrificing mobility in difficult terrain. The companies describe the Jackal 3 family as a high-mobility weapons platform capable of operating across diverse environments.

Chris Spicer, managing director of engineering and systems integration at Babcock, said the production milestone reflects both operational and industrial priorities.

“The Jackal 3 (E) provides the British Army with a formidable vehicle which enables troops to carry out a variety of missions,” Spicer said. “This is an important milestone in a programme which ensures our Armed Forces have a best-in-class vehicle – while providing skilled jobs in the South West and clearly demonstrating that defence is a real driver for economic growth.”

Babcock emphasized that production of the Jackal 3 Extenda supports high-quality engineering jobs in southwest England, particularly at the Devonport site, which plays a central role in several UK defense programs. The company framed the program as an example of sustained domestic manufacturing in support of British military requirements.

Supacat, which designed the vehicle, also highlighted the importance of the supply chain underpinning the program. Phil Applegarth, director and head of Supacat, said continued production reflects broader industrial priorities for UK defense.

“We are proud to announce that, following the recent deliveries of Jackal 3 vehicles to the British Army, the next tranche of Jackal 3 Extendas are now rolling off the Babcock production line in Devonport,” Applegarth said. “A resilient, collaborative supply chain, underpinned by a secure industrial and manufacturing base is vital for UK defence at this pivotal time. The ongoing production of world-class HMT Jackal vehicles demonstrates our commitment to the Government’s Defence Industrial Strategy, supporting and sustaining high-value jobs across the UK supply chain.”

The Jackal family has been in British Army service for years and is known for its mobility and adaptability. The Jackal 3 represents the latest iteration of the platform, incorporating updates based on operational experience. While detailed technical specifications of the Extenda variant were not disclosed, the additional axle is intended to allow units to carry more equipment, supplies, or mission-specific payloads.

The British Army has placed increasing emphasis on highly mobile ground vehicles capable of supporting dispersed operations, particularly in environments where heavier armored platforms may be less practical. Vehicles like the Jackal 3 are often used by light forces that require speed, reach, and flexibility.