HMT Extenda vehicle

Supacat has delivered a new special operations vehicle prototype to the Australian Defence Forces (ADF) to help address its Special Operations Vehicle-Direct Action (SOV-DA) requirement.

The delivery follows an initial contract awarded by the Australian Defence Materiel Organisation (DMO) for the development and delivery of a new prototype vehicle under the project definition and evaluation (PD&E) phase of the JP2097 Ph 1B (REDFIN) programme in April.

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The prototype will be used to inform capability options for obtaining Second Pass approval for the REDFIN 1B programme, which is scheduled to provide ADF with a new range of special operations vehicles.

Capable of carrying a broad range of weapons systems, including a Javelin anti-tank missile system and communications and surveillance equipment, the SOV-DA is expected to contribute to the overall land mobility capabilities for the Special Operations Command (SOCOMD).

"The prototype will be used to inform capability options for obtaining Second Pass approval for the REDFIN 1B programme, which is scheduled to provide ADF with a new range of special operations vehicles."

Easily transportable by a CH-47 Chinook helicopter, the vehicle will feature an enhanced rollover protection, remote weapon station (RWS), and improved self-recovery capabilities.

Supacat had proposed a newly developed variant of its Special Forces HMT Extenda vehicle for the programme and established Supacat Team Australia, comprising 15 Australian partner companies to deliver the production vehicles and through-life support for the fleet.

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The company has also opened a new facility in Melbourne, Australia, to support the REDFIN Ph 1B programme.

Officially opening the new facility, Australian defence materiel minister Jason Clare said the establishment reflected the local industry’s strength, and made Australia the second country after the UK to receive in-country support from Supacat.

Developed for use by special forces, the HMT Extenda can be converted into either a 4×4 or 6×6 configuration, and can be equipped with optional mine blast and ballistic protection kits to suit different operations.

Image: Supacat’s HMT Extenda vehicle selected for the Australian Army’s REDFIN Ph 1B programme. Photo: courtesy of Supacat.

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