The final British Army Jackal 3 vehicle has rolled off the production line at Devonport Dockyard, marking a landmark moment for defence giant Babcock. The company has completed delivery of the weapon system, having built and supplied 123 Jackal 3 and Jackal 3 Extenda (E) vehicles, which were designed by Honiton-based engineering firm Supacat.
The last vehicle to roll off the line was a six-wheeled Extenda variant, which will now undergo testing before joining the British Army's operational fleet. This variant features an extra axle, allowing it to carry a heavier load even while off road.
Government and Military Praise for the Programme
Defence minister Lord Coaker said the Plymouth-built vehicles would give the UK military "one of the most capable" platforms available. "The Defence Investment Plan reconfirms the vital role that land vehicles play in our armed forces' capability – ensuring land forces can seize or defend ground in all environments and conditions," he said. "It is exactly this kind of collaboration between British industry and our armed forces that helps support local industry and demonstrates that defence is an engine for growth."
Louise Atkinson, chief executive of land and mission systems at Babcock, said the programme demonstrated the company's "commitment and expertise" to delivering high-quality military vehicles to the armed forces. "This critical programme required a large amount of collaboration, and I'd like to thank everyone for their tireless work in making it a success," she added.
Building on Earlier Deliveries
The first Jackal 3 E vehicles came off the production line at Devonport in December last year. The completion of the programme builds on the delivery of the initial 70 Jackal 3 vehicles to the British Army. Major General Lizzie Faithfull-Davies CB CBE, director land environment, national armaments – material, said: "This achievement is testament to the strength of our enduring partnership with Babcock and Supacat. Their responsiveness, engineering expertise and collaborative approach has been central to delivering a platform that meets operational needs while maintaining pace and quality. We look forward to continuing this close relationship as we develop and sustain capability into the future."
Babcock's Broader Financial Performance
The news comes less than a month after Babcock reported a rise in revenues for the full year and announced another £200m share buyback scheme. The group posted revenues of £5.1bn, up eight per cent on a year earlier, driven by its nuclear and aviation divisions.
