Sponsored by TEK Military Seating Limited
http://www.tekmilitaryseating.co.uk/
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17 Dec 25. First Jackal 3 Extenda models roll off Babcock production line. Babcock has celebrated a landmark milestone in the Jackal 3 programme after the first all-terrain vehicles, from the second tranche, rolled off the production line in Devonport. Working in partnership with defence SME Supacat, we are manufacturing 53 six-wheeled ‘Extenda’ variants, known as the Jackal 3 (E), for the British Army. The Jackal 3 family is the most versatile high-mobility weapons platform in its class, equally capable of reconnaissance, patrol and logistic tasks and with an additional axle, the Jackal 3 (E) has greater load carrying capacity whilst still maintaining its exemplary off-road performance. Designed by Supacat of Honiton and built by our team in Devonport, the defence programme supports high-quality engineering jobs in the South-West. The milestone follows the completion of tranche one – which has delivered 70 standard Jackal 3 models.
Chris Spicer, Managing Director, Engineering & Systems Integration at Babcock, said: “The Jackal 3 (E) provides the British Army with a formidable vehicle which enables troops to carry out a variety of missions. 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.”
Phil Applegarth, Director, Head of Supacat, said: “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. 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.”
17 Dec 25. Patria and Rosomak S.A. into agreement on 8×8 vehicle manufacturing license extension. Patria and its Polish license manufacturer, Rosomak S.A. have extended their collaboration, ensuring a lasting partnership until 2034. This extension solidifies Patria’s role as a reliable technology provider and grants Rosomak enhanced autonomy in product innovation, bolstering Poland’s security of supply and expanding international sales opportunities, including also the Security Action for Europe (SAFE) related programmes.
“Patria emphasizes its position as a dependable Finnish partner, committed to enhancing defence cooperation with Poland. It is essential for EU and NATO countries to utilize similar or closely aligned, interoperable equipment from both political and military viewpoints. The ongoing collaboration on 8×8 vehicles between the two countries represents an ideal approach to achieve this, thereby fortifying the defence relationship between the two countries. Patria AMV 8×8 is extensively utilized across Europe, including in Poland, as well as in Sweden, Finland, Croatia, Slovakia and Slovenia,” says Jussi Järvinen, Executive Vice President of Patria’s Protected Mobility business area.
Patria has established itself as a dependable technology partner within Poland’s defence sector, having commenced operations in 2003. Vehicles manufactured in Poland are produced under license by Rosomak S.A.
18 Dec 25. GDELS receives major order to provide further EAGLE vehicles for the German Bundeswehr. General Dynamics European Land Systems (GDELS) has been commissioned by the Federal Office of Bundeswehr Equipment, Information Technology and In-Service Support (BAAINBw) to supply the German Armed Forces with protected EAGLE V 4×4 command and control vehicles, as well as EAGLE V 6×6 medium protected ambulance vehicles, as part of two supplementary procurements. The two corresponding framework agreements provide for the delivery of a total of 5,000 vehicles, of which almost 3,000, with a total value of 4 bn euros, are being ordered immediately. The vehicles of the EAGLE family are characterized by outstanding mobility, protection, and payload capacity, combined with robustness and reliability. Since their introduction into the Bundeswehr, they have proven themselves exceptionally well in numerous military operations. To ensure delivery of the vehicles to the troops in accordance with the contract and on cost and schedule, GDELS is currently establishing several production sites in Germany. In addition to numerous small and medium-sized enterprises and business partners in Germany, existing and new GDELS production sites in Rhineland-Palatinate, Baden-Württemberg, Bavaria, and Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania will also be involved in the series production of the two EAGLE variants.
“We are grateful and proud that our soldiers have such great confidence in the performance and reliability of the EAGLE. These two additional procurements excellently embody this confidence, as well as the Bundeswehr’s high level of trust in our industrial capabilities. As a reliable partner of the Bundeswehr, we will deliver the vehicles to the troops as contractually agreed,” said Dr. Thomas Kauffmann, GDELS Chief Sales Officer and Managing Director of GDELS–Deutschland.
“As part of our 24/500 strategy, we began early to work out significant production and manufacturing capacities in Germany and to invest accordingly in existing and new locations. We are currently hiring new employees, gaining additional business partners from the German industry, particularly SMEs, and are strengthening the resilience of our supply chains. Hence, we are ready and prepared to fully meet the rightfully high expectations of our German customer. We are well aware that the so called “Zeitenwende” does not allow for any compromises or shortcuts,” added Dr. Christian Kauth, Co-Managing Director of GDELS Germany and Managing Director of GDELS–Bridge Systems.
15 Dec 25. KNDS Expands LEOPARD 2 Production with New Plant in Lithuania. An assembly plant for the production of up to 41 LEOPARD 2 A8 main battle tanks will be built in Kaunas, Lithuania. A corresponding contract was signed between the Lithuanian Ministry of Defense and KNDS Deutschland (KNDS), the manufacturer of the LEOPARD main battle tank. Lithuania Defense Services (LDS) will be subcontracted by KNDS for the project’s implementation. Furthermore, an agreement was signed guaranteeing the availability of the LEOPARD 2 A8. This includes the training of skilled personnel for both manufacturing and maintenance work, as well as logistical support for the systems over a period of five years, starting after the delivery of the first system.
“This contract is a clear indication that we are able to quickly and easily adapt the production of our products to the challenges facing Europe at this time. This project, in particular, perfectly embodies the spirit of close European cooperation in the field of land systems, as the contract for the LEOPARD 2 A8 systems was concluded under the framework agreement established by the German Federal Government and the German Federal Office of Bundeswehr Equipment, Information Technology and In-Service Support,” says Ralf Ketzel, CEO of KNDS Germany.
This followed Lithuania’s decision in December 2024 to procure 44 LEOPARD 2 A8 main battle tanks under the Common Procurement Agreement (CPA). Lithuania was the first country to join the CPA procurement program. The LEOPARD 2 A8 tanks will be delivered to the Lithuanian Army between 2028 and 2030. (Source: ASD Network)
12 Dec 25. The Hungarian army is celebrating the completion of the Leopard 2A7HU delivery with a public parade. In the presence of Hungarian Defense Minister Kristóf Szalay-Bobrovniczky and Chief of the Hungarian Armed Forces General Gábor Böröndi, the 1st Armored Brigade presented its systems. Ralf Ketzel, CEO of KNDS Deutschland (KNDS), attended at the invitation of the Chief of the Hungarian Armed Forces. During the event, the Hungarian Minister of Defence presented KNDS with a special award. Ralf Ketzel, Mario Gall, the project’s responsible programme manager, and Peter Ulbrich, Managing Director of KNDS Hungary Kft., which ensures the maintenance and availability of the vehicles, received awards as a token of appreciation for KNDS’s achievement.
“I am very proud of this award and of being here. We have been able to play a key role in supporting Hungary in the modernisation of its armed forces. As a full systems provider, KNDS has demonstrated that it is capable of successfully delivering complete solutions from a single source, ranging from training and logistical support to various vehicle systems,” said Ralf Ketzel, CEO of KNDS.
As contractually agreed, the delivery of all vehicle systems has therefore been completed on schedule. In addition to the LEOPARD main battle tanks, the contract signed in December 2018 also included 24 PzH 2000 self-propelled howitzers, three LEGUAN bridge-laying systems, five WiSENT recovery tanks, a simulation centre, and a comprehensive training and logistics package. (Source: joint-forces.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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