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————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————–10 Sep 25. GM Defense Reveals New General Support Utility Platform (GSUP) for the First Time Globally. GM Defense, which formed Team LionStrike with BAE Systems and NP Aerospace to compete for the UK’s Light Mobility Vehicle Programme, is launching its new General Support Utility Platform (GSUP) at DSEI in London, to equip the armed forces with the most advanced technology. The new General Support Utility Platform is a rugged, high-performance, multi-mission vehicle designed for rapid configuration and deployment across a range of operational scenarios – delivering mobility, payload, capacity and flexibility. It is equipped with STORM Vanguard’s modular Rapid Adapt and Deploy System (RADS) – a game-changing modular system offering – and features GVA comms integration with Ultra PCS. The vehicle is backed by Team LionStrike, a new collaboration focused on offering the UK MoD a mobility solution to rapidly modernize its ground vehicle fleet. The team is working together in pursuit of the UK Ministry of Defence’s Light Mobility Vehicle (LMV) programme and will also address broader opportunities across NATO and allied nations. Team LionStrike will also deliver economic growth as part of the Land Industrial Strategy, and significant export growth potential.
Team LionStrike is building a sustainable supply chain and delivery ecosystem in the UK. The team will be supported by GM’s leading industry partners, NP Aerospace and BAE Systems and is also anchored by GM’s worldwide parts distribution system.
“Our objective with Team LionStrike is to support the UK Ministry of Defence’s goal of rapidly modernizing its ground vehicle fleet, providing soldiers the best tools to perform their mission,” said Steve duMont, President of GM Defense. “Vehicles like our General Support Utility Platform and our flagship Infantry Squad Vehicle are designed to deliver major advancements in operational capability and performance, along with unmatched safety and reliability.”
The new General Support Utility Platform is a high-performance, customizable multi-mission vehicle built on GM’s advanced technologies.
Key features include:
- GVW of 3500kg
- Payload of up to 1339kg
- Multi-variant solution
- Live 2,000 vehicle per month production line
- LHD and RHD options
09 Sep 25. Quantum Dynamic partners with Czech company to locally manufacture Mbombe 4 vehicles. Czech defence company STV Group and Paramount entity Quantum Dynamic have entered into a joint marketing and licensed manufacturing agreement to offer Paramount’s Mbombe 4 mine-resistant, ambush-protected (MRAP) vehicle to the Czech Republic and other markets. The M4 Golem (the Czech version of the Mbombe 4) was recently showcased by STV Group at the International Defence and Security Technology Fair (IDET) 2025 in Brno in May, where it attracted strong interest and has since undergone extensive trials and evaluations for requirements in the Czech Republic, Quantum Dynamic said in a statement. Under the agreement, STV and Quantum Dynamic will jointly market the M4 Golem in the Czech Republic, while establishing a licensed production capability that will enable full local manufacture of the vehicle. This collaboration forms part of Quantum Dynamic’s portable production approach, which allows advanced defence technologies to be produced under licence in partner countries. This approach facilitates technology transfer, job creation, skills development, and the building of local industrial capacity – ensuring not only operational independence but also lasting socio-economic benefits, the company said.
“Crucially, Quantum Dynamic’s in-country production guarantees security of supply for the recipient country. Nations can maintain full control over their own defence systems, ensuring reliable availability of equipment and critical spare parts in times of conflict. This independence also enables ongoing maintenance, upgrades, and modernisation of vehicles within national borders, avoiding reliance on foreign suppliers and strengthening national security resilience,” the company added.
“The M4 Golem has already proven itself on the global stage as one of the most advanced armoured vehicles of its class. This cooperation enables us to bring this battle-proven platform to the Czech Republic, while also building sovereign industrial capacity that guarantees security of supply, maintenance, and modernisation in country,” said Pavel Beran, Director of Special Projects at STV Group.
The Mbombe family (4×4 Mbombe 4, 6×6 Mbombe 6, and 8×8 Mbombe 8) features a flat mine-protected floor, giving a lower and better stability than V-shaped armoured hulls. All three models share 80% common components to reduce through life costs and make training and logistics easier. A six-cylinder diesel gives a top speed of more than 110km/h. The 16 tonne Mbombe 4 provides a payload of nearly three tonnes, encapsulating weapon systems, ammunition, crew and supplies. The vehicle has been designed to accommodate a wide range of payloads and turrets, including a 30 mm cannon. The onboard mission computer and interface system is able to integrate with both Western and Eastern-made weapon systems. The vehicle offers STANAG 4569 Level 3 ballistic protection and Level 4a/4b blast protection. Since its launch in 2019, the Mbombe 4 has been ordered by half a dozen nations, including the Democratic Republic of Congo, United Arab Emirates, Togo, and India – Bharat Forge manufactures the Kalyani M4 domestic version for the Indian Army. In 2022, Paramount revealed the Mbombe 4 would be produced in Thailand as the D-Lion. STV Group specialises in the production of military equipment and the repair and modernisation of military vehicles and aircraft, including the supply of spare parts. The company is a producer of a full range of ammunition, including tank and artillery ammunition. It also manufactures helmets and bulletproof vests. A substantial part of the company’s production portfolio is in use by the Czech Army and the Police of the Czech Republic. Quantum Dynamic was established by the family behind Paramount Group and operates under a broad licence agreement structure giving it access to Paramount’s global Intellectual Property (IP) and suite of capabilities across the naval, aerospace, land systems, cyber, internal security, customs and excise, border security and counter-poaching domains. It offers a range of business functions and customer solutions, including project management, structured finance solutions, infrastructure development (greenfield and brownfield developments), modernisation programmes, training, logistics and Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO). (Source: https://www.defenceweb.co.za/)
09 Sep 25. At DSEI 2025 in London, General Dynamics Land Systems presented the Ajax Blackjax technology demonstrator, a new development within the Ajax tracked vehicle family. The Blackjax is described as a next-generation concept vehicle built around the principle of spiral development, a process intended to progressively introduce capabilities through an iterative cycle of testing, evaluation, and refinement. The aim is to enhance battlefield lethality while maintaining the flexibility to incorporate emerging technologies and adapt to evolving operational concepts. To this end, the Ajax Blackjax (unofficially called Ajax Blackjack) incorporates composite rubber tracks designed to reduce vibration and noise while improving mobility across diverse terrain types, and it integrates the Modular Integrated Protection System (MIPS), a UK-specific active protection system (APS) that combines Trophy’s sensor suite with Iron Fist interceptors. In addition, its turret has been modified to enable a gun elevation up to approximately 85 degrees, thereby expanding the vehicle’s potential role from ground-focused operations to include applications beyond standard ground engagements. This modified gun mount, in combination with the 40 mm Cased Telescoped Armament System (CTAS) cannon and its programmable airburst ammunition, was noted by observers as allowing the possibility of a short-range air defense role.
In Poland, the Ajax appeared at MSPO 2025 in Kielce, marking the first public display of the platform in that country. General Dynamics Land Systems presented the vehicle to an audience actively pursuing modernization of its tracked armored fleets, including the CBWP heavy infantry fighting vehicle programme. The debut in Poland took place as the British Army had only just begun receiving production Ajax vehicles in January 2025, and while the fleet was still in the early stages of integration into UK force structures. The appearance at MSPO was timed to attract regional stakeholders, particularly at a moment when Poland was considering heavy tracked platforms to complement Abrams main battle tanks. The Ajax programme itself has a long development history that informs the significance of Blackjax. Based on the ASCOD 2 chassis, it originated in the UK’s Future Rapid Effect System programme of the early 2010s. In 2014, the Ministry of Defence ordered 589 vehicles at a cost of £3.5bn, with deliveries expected to begin in 2017. However, extensive delays followed due to technical problems, most notably excessive vibration and noise, which led to a halt in trials between 2020 and 2022 and caused health issues among test crews. Deliveries to operational units eventually began in January 2025, more than seven years behind schedule, with Initial Operating Capability planned for late 2025 and Full Operating Capability projected between 2028 and 2029. By April 2025, 100 vehicles had been delivered.
The Ajax family is composed of six variants built on a shared chassis. These include the Ajax reconnaissance vehicle armed with the 40 mm CTAS cannon, the Ares armored personnel carrier, the Athena command vehicle, the Atlas armored recovery vehicle, the Apollo armored repair vehicle, and the Argus engineering reconnaissance vehicle. Of the 589 ordered, 245 were Ajax reconnaissance variants, 93 Ares, 112 Athena, 38 Atlas, 50 Apollo, and 51 Argus. The reconnaissance variant mounts the CTAS cannon, a 7.62 mm coaxial chain gun, and has tested a Kongsberg Protector remote weapon station with a general-purpose machine gun and Javelin anti-tank missile. The platform has a baseline weight of 38 tonnes with growth potential to 42 tonnes through modular armor kits, is powered by an 800 hp MTU V8 diesel engine with a RENK HSWL 256B transmission, reaches a maximum speed of 70 km/h, and has a range of approximately 500 km. Crew capacity is typically three for the Ajax variant, with the Ares configured for two crew plus four passengers.
Electronics and networking are central to the Ajax design. The platform features a 20 Gbit/s Ethernet backbone capable of processing and storing up to six terabytes of data, which can be distributed through the integrated Bowman communication system. It includes sensors for automated detection, search, and tracking, and can operate these systems while stationary using a silent auxiliary power unit. Trials since 2022 have included over 40,000 km of driving and more than 5,000 rounds fired to validate reliability. Industrial participation has been structured for high domestic content, with 80 percent of manufacturing and 70 percent of the supply chain located in the UK, supporting more than 4,000 jobs across 230 suppliers. Final assembly is conducted in Merthyr Tydfil, South Wales, with Lockheed Martin UK responsible for the turret and fire control, Thales UK for sighting systems, Rheinmetall for turret manufacture, and Meggitt for ammunition handling. The Blackjax demonstrator reflects how the Ajax platform may continue to evolve. Early studies envisioned additional variants such as a direct-fire vehicle with a 120 mm cannon, a mortar carrier, short-range air defense platforms, logistics support vehicles, and ambulances. The Blackjax configuration brings together several of these ideas by showing a hybrid active protection architecture, alternative track systems, and a high-elevation gun kit that could offer counter-drone capabilities. Its introduction coincides with international interest, particularly in Poland, where Ajax is reportedly being considered as a potential chassis for heavy IFV development with integration of the domestic ZSSW-30 turret. The Blackjax, therefore, represents not only a possible future pathway for the British Army’s own fleet, but also an indicator of how the modular base platform could be adapted to meet foreign requirements. (Source: News Now/armyrecognition.com)
09 Sep 25. Patria and Babcock agree on teaming in CAVS 6×6 armoured vehicle manufacturing in the United Kingdom. Patria and Babcock International Group (‘Babcock’) have entered a teaming agreement to support manufacturing of Patria 6×6 vehicles under the multinational Common Armoured Vehicle (CAVS) programme in the UK. Earlier today, the UK Ministry of Defence signed the CAVS Technical Arrangement, officially joining the programme. Babcock will act as Patria’s build and support partner in the UK and will manufacture the Patria 6×6 vehicles for the British Army. Patria has long-term experience in transferring armoured vehicle manufacturing technology and has already done it to several different countries in three different continents.
“We welcome the UK Ministry of Defence’s decision to join the CAVS programme – with the 6×6 proven to be a highly capable troop carrier which has been backed by multiple armed forces across Europe. We are proud to be working with Patria as their official build partner on the 6×6 – and as a strategic partner of the British Army, we are perfectly positioned to deliver a large fleet of formidable, proven armoured personnel carriers, backed by a comprehensive training and support package,” says Tom Newman, CEO of Babcock’s Land Sector.
“As a strategic partner to the British Army, Babcock is an experienced system integrator and platform builder with advanced production capabilities. Their skilled team is currently delivering major projects for the British Army. Our partnership brings clear benefits: the UK needs a proven ready-to-use vehicle platform, and the Patria 6×6, already operational in NATO countries, will be locally built and supported to meet British Army requirements,” says Jussi Järvinen, Executive Vice President of Protected Mobility at Patria.
Patria with more than four decades of experience in developing and delivering state-of-the-art protected troop transportation and system integration leads the 6×6 armoured vehicle system development as the prime contractor within the CAVS programme. The vast majority of supply of the vehicles is conducted by utilizing the member nations’ local industry capabilities and every new nation is inherently reinforcing the security of supply for the whole collaboration system. Patria has already received orders for nearly 1,000 Patria 6×6 vehicles and has delivered more than 250 through the programme. The CAVS programme is open to countries with similar equipment requirements, by mutual consent of the participating countries.
10 Sep 25. Pearson Engineering boosts its autonomy and AI capabilities with ground-breaking £3m robotics investment. Leading UK defence manufacturer Pearson Engineering continues to expand its sector-leading robotics capabilities with a significant £3 m investment. This will see funds go into its Armstrong Works site and existing team of over 300 engineers to deliver at least 20 additional jobs and create new Artificial Intelligence Labs to help drive forward innovations for the future of the battlefield, continuing Pearson Engineering’s work to protect lives and develop new technologies. This follows the announcement at DSEI 2025 that Pearson Engineering will partner with global robotics and autonomous manufacturer Milrem Robotics, Overwatch Aerospace Ltd and MSI-Defence Systems Limited (MSI-DS) around the launch of a UK-specific version of the THeMIS Combat Uncrewed Ground Vehicle (UGV) which will see the coalition develop, test, demonstrate and produce the combat-proven THeMIS platform. The announcement of Pearson Engineering’s investment builds on its existing robotics expertise and complements the Government’s plans for the North East as an AI Growth Zone, leading the way with investment in the region. Pearson Engineering has developed technologies, such as Threat-Sense, which uses AI to detect and positively identify surface laid mines, even in adverse environmental conditions, for any military vehicle or uncrewed aerial vehicle (UAV).
Ian Bell, CEO of Pearson Engineering Limited, said: “The future of the battlefield is changing, and Pearson Engineering is committed to being at the forefront of how we protect lives and reduce the risk to individuals. Our technology, such as Threat-Sense, is already helping armed forces around the world to explore how they can use uncrewed innovation to better protect troops.”
Tim Hough, Head of Research and Development at Pearson Engineering, said: “This investment marks a step-change in Pearson Engineering’s focus on AI and robotics and its potential to transform how we provide life-saving products for the modern battlefield. It’s an exciting time for engineers to join our team to work on emerging technologies, alongside expert leaders in cutting-edge facilities.”
09 Sep 25. The United Kingdom and Norway join CAVS programme. The United Kingdom and Norway have joined the multinational Common Armoured Vehicle System (CAVS) programme by signing the Technical Arrangement. They are now the sixth and seventh members, following Finland, Latvia, Sweden, Germany, and Denmark, and will move on to the next phases of the programme to meet their needs for protected mobility capability.
”Patria welcomes both the UK and Norway into the CAVS programme, including now already seven member nations. As European security needs to be strengthened, multinational collaboration is increasingly important for interoperability, interchangeability and security of supply among allies.” says Esa Rautalinko, President and CEO of Patria.
Jussi Järvinen, Executive Vice President, Protected Mobility of Patria continues: “The CAVS programme provides its members a modern, versatile armoured vehicle designed for today’s complex military operations similarly building efficiently shared defence capabilities and significantly decreasing delivery timelines. At the same time, by utilizing the local industry capabilities of member nations, it is possible to provide maintenance security and independent support, maintenance, and repair services in all situations.“
Patria with over four decades of experience in developing and delivering state-of-the-art protected troop transportation and system integration leads the 6×6 armoured vehicle system development as the prime contractor within the CAVS programme. The vast majority of vehicle supply is conducted by utilizing the member nations’ local industry capabilities and every new nation is inherently reinforcing the security of supply for the whole collaboration system. Patria has already received orders for nearly 1,000 Patria 6×6 vehicles and has delivered more than 250 through the programme. The CAVS programme is open to countries with similar equipment requirements, by mutual consent of the participating countries.
09 Sep 25. DSEI 2025: armoured fighting vehicles in the spotlight. New and improved AFVs displayed at DSEI from the AMPV C2 variant, AJAX IFV, TRACKX, and KF41 Lynx. Several armoured fighting vehicles (AFV) – some new, some improved – have attracted many observers over the course of the first day of DSEI 2025. The Russia-Ukraine conflict still demonstrates the need for the trinity: protection, mobility, and firepower on the frontline. According to GlobalData intelligence, the global military land vehicles market, valued at $35bn this year, is projected to reach $57bn by 2035.
Ajax IFV
General Dynamics Land Systems UK (GDLS-UK) unveiled its new Ajax infantry fighting vehicle (IFV), which is built on its enduring common base platform (CBP).
Ion chromatography (IC), a highly sensitive technique for separating and quantifying ionic species, was introduced in the 1970s and marketed by the Dionex Corporation. Initially developed for water and environmental analysis, IC has gradually been adopted by pharmaceutical laboratories.
While the British Army awaits 180 Ajax CBPs before the end of 2025, GDLS-UK will also put forward the new IFV version to replace the service’s 625 ageing Warrior IFVs, the first of which entered service in 1988, and will begin decommissioning from 2027.
Operated by a crew of three – driver, commander, and an optionally dismountable gunner – Ajax IFV features a configurable rear compartment for up to eight personnel, each with seating and under-armour stowage.
The Ajax IFV features a modular, optionally-crewed CT40 turret – reusing the digital fire control system and subsystems of the CBP – meeting Nato standards. The IFV allows operators to fire 40mm high explosive (HE) rounds, which the company say delivers four times greater terminal effect than 30mm HE equivalents, penetrating armour at around 2.5km.
The upgraded anti-air cannon provides kinetic energy air burst and general HE air burst munitions with increased elevation angles up to 75 degrees for anti-air and counter-uncrewed aerial system (C-UAS) capabilities.
AMPV (C2)
One AFV that may be overlooked, situated at the back of BAE Systems’ extensive booth, is the command and control (C2) variant of the Armoured Multi Purpose Vehicle (AMPV).
The platform is on a path to replace the legacy M113 family of vehicles, which date back to the Vietnam War and in service with many countries around the world, most recently in Ukraine. Primarily, AMPV will serve the US Army’s Armored Brigade Combat Teams, and due operate alongside the M1 Abrams main battle tank and M2 Bradley IFV.
It is the first time that the C2 AMPV variant has been displayed on European soil, albeit the medical vehicle featured in DSEI 2023. In addition, it is the first time that the company, with Army’s permission, allowed visitors to look and sit inside the C2 version.
When asked about appetite for AMPV in Europe, Bill Sheehy, director of ground manuevre platforms, confirmed that “a number of countries want to come [to] see it,” and that one prospective customer wanted to integrate their own turret. Notably, last year, at AUSA, BAE Systems showcased a AMPV mortar platform integrated with Kongsberg’s medium-calibre turret.
Sheehy remains undaunted by the US government’s cancellation of various defence programmes, including enduring land vehicles such as Humvee and JLTV, contending “they are not going to divorce themselves from armoured brigades… that’s one of the strengths of the United States Army.
“They may reduce number of brigade sets but they’re going to have that strength within the US Army,” he emphasised.
TRACKX
Patria unveiled its new tracked all-terrain armoured personnel carrier, TRACKX, engineered to traverse harsh conditions.
Jussi Järvinen, executive vice president for protected mobility, confirmed that TRACKX will be ready for serial production in 2027. Furthermore, the Finnish Defence Forces have placed an order which, Järvinen stated, would be delivered as early as 2026.
The new platform will be developed within the framework of the multinational European Defence Agency-funded FAMOUS programme to improve and interoperate combat vehicles, led by Finland, in collaboration with its industrial partners and programme member nations.
TRACKX can transport 12 soldiers with equipment and to perform on roads, in dense forests, steep hills, wet bogs, and deep snow without compromising its protection.
Key design principles include mass efficiency, wide rubber tracks, low ground pressure, a low and centrally positioned centre of gravity, independently adjustable hydropneumatic suspension for each track wheel, and an almost flat underside without torsion bars.
The vehicle is said to represent a cost-effective alternative to other light tracked vehicles, targeting especially the 13–18 tonne weight class.
KF41 Lynx
Finally, Rheinmetall displayed the Lynx KF41 as an air defence tank with a Skyranger 35 system for the first time.
The mobile air defence system incorporates integrated active and passive search and tracking sensors and an autonomous weapon system. It is the latest member of the Lynx family.
Skyranger 35 is equipped with a KDG 35/1000 revolver cannon in 35mm x 228 calibre with a firing rate of 1,000 rounds per minute. It has an effective range of up to 4,000 metres.
KF41 can be configured as IFV, C2 vehicle, armoured personnel carrier, ambulance, reconnaissance vehicle, medical evacuation platform, and repair and recovery vehicle. However, this air defence variant of the platform contrasts with the IFV vairant in that it uses the Oerlikon Skyranger.
Rheinmetall constructs the Lynx at a production facility based in Zalaegerszeg, western Hungary; this site was opened in August last year. The arms builder also delivered the first Hungarian-made KF41 IFV to Hungary and, separately, the company revealed that the first Lynx to Ukraine will be delivered before the end of 2024. (Source: army-technology.com)
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TEK Military Seating Limited
TEK Military Seating Limited is a UK based designer and manufacturer of ProTEK military vehicle seating which offer the highest standards of safety and protection. The ProTEK brand is well respected across the globe for its robust construction, innovative design, built in modularity and cost effectiveness. Our superior products are supported by our experienced team who endeavor to offer unrivalled service to our customers from enquiry, through design and acceptance, to through life support.
From its inception ProTEK seats have been designed around a family of innovative seat frames onto which tested and certified modules can be fitted to create a bespoke solution for the user. These include Blast protection to Stanag 4569 standards, vibration reduction, head and body protection, seat risers and turntables, fore & aft adjustment, and seat back rake along with viable seat dimensions without the need for additional tooling costs.
Contact: Paul Fleming
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