Supacat and KNDS Deutschland sign MOU to compete for UK's Land Mobility Programme

Supacat and KNDS have signed an MOU to offer KNDS's Dingo 3 (pictured) and ACLV variants for the UK MoD's LMP. (KNDS)

Supacat and KNDS Deutschland announced in a joint press release on 13 November that they had signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to partner to compete for the UK Ministry of Defence's (MoD's) Land Mobility Programme (LMP).

Under the MOU, the two companies will together offer KNDS's Dingo 3 and Armoured Command and Liaison Vehicle (ACLV) variants for the light and medium/heavy protected mobility categories of LMP. The companies plan to offer a family of vehicles to meet the UK MoD's future requirements for the Troop Carrying Vehicle (TCV), ambulance, and command roles.

Phil Applegarth, director and head of Supacat, told Janes on 14 November that weight class within the MOU is LMP heavy/medium for Dingo 3 and LMP light/medium for ACLV. He said that the ACLV is being proposed as a replacement for the British Army's ageing Panther in the command and liaison role.

According to the press release, KNDS, as a Tier 1 prime contractor, including its current deliveries of Boxer armoured vehicles for the British Army from its UK facility in Stockport, together with Supacat will provide agility, innovation, and local manufacturing expertise. Supacat expects to be able to provide the MoD with a robust and flexible industrial team capable of rapid adaptation to evolving operational demands.

Under the MOU, Supacat plans to lead UK-based manufacturing, design adaptation, and integrated support solutions from its new production facility in Dunkeswell, Devon, so that vehicle production, integration, and through-life support are conducted within the UK, delivering economic and industrial benefits.