DSEI UK 2025: Czech SF order HMT vehicles from Supacat

Supacat, a Devon-based defence engineering group, has received an export order from the Czech Ministry of Defence for 18 of its High Mobility Transporter (HMT) vehicles, according to a September 4 press release.  A variant of the HMT, known as the Jackal 3 by the British Army, will be used by the Czech Republic’s 601st Special Forces Group, a special operations unit.

The order is for the Extenda variant of the HMT, which will be on display at DSEI UK 2025, from 9-12 September. The HMT series was originally brought into service for the British Armed Forces in Afghanistan as an Urgent Operational Requirement (UOR). A UOR is a process used by the UK Ministry of Defence to rapidly acquire equipment for military operations. The vehicles were used as off-road patrol and fire-support vehicles, replacing variants of the Land Rover and have since become a permanent fixture in the British armed forces. 

The HMT platform can be configured in either a 4×4 or 6×6 wheel drive and can be fitted with mine blast and ballistic protection kits. The vehicle can be equipped with various mission-specific items, including load beds, weapons, communications, and ISTAR equipment. The HMT can also be fitted with C-UAS equipment, and one variant with an armoured cab has been configured for short-range air defence in partnership with Moog. 

According to Miroslav Zizka, Managing Director of Supacat’s Czech partner, LPP, the order includes substantial industrial participation in the Czech Republic. The price for the vehicle platform is stated to be the same as that paid by the British Army.

Company Profile: Supacat

Supacat is a British defence engineering company founded in 1981 by David and Roger James. It is a part of the SC Group. Based in Dunkeswell, Devon, the company specialises in the design and manufacture of high-mobility vehicles for military and civilian applications. Its products are known for their off-road performance and modular design, allowing for various configurations and roles. It has provided hundreds of vehicles to the British Army, most recently providing 65 Jackal 3 vehicles between February 2023 and July 2025. 95% of the vehicle supply chain is British, according to Supacat, but a portion will be provided by Czech industry under the new contract. 

Calibre comment

Lightly-equipped special forces have played a vital role on both sides of the war in Ukraine. Moving quickly around the battlefield, they have demonstrated the ability to infiltrate through the frontlines and into cities, or strike columns of armour with surprising lethality. It has demonstrated the utility of highly mobile units and vehicles that can move quickly. The HMT does fit into this category to some extent, but it is worth noting that civilian platforms are also used to similar effect. 

By Sam Cranny-Evans, published on September 6, 2025. Credit for the lead image is Supacat and it shows the Jackal 3.