UK high mobility vehicle specialist, Supacat has provided technical assistance to Tata Motors to develop a combat vehicle, based on a Light Armoured Multipurpose Vehicle (LAMV) programme by the Indian Ministry of Defence. The LAMV prototype was unveiled at Defexpo, New Delhi, on 6 February, 2014.

The LAMV incorporates crew protection and suspension technologies based on the Supacat Protected Vehicle 400 (SPV400) Light Protected Patrol Vehicle (LPPV) requirements of the UK Ministry of Defence. These include blast resistant features such as a V-shaped hull and an all composite crew cab.

Nick Ames, Managing Director, Supacat said, “Tata’s stature in India and the UK, and Supacat’s experience in protected vehicles is a powerful combination. Our aspiration is that this is the beginning of a strategic relationship, which opens up opportunities for both companies in the Asian and European markets for protected vehicles.”

Mr. Vernon Noronha, Vice President – Defence & Government Business, Tata Motors said, “We at Tata Motors have been associated with the Indian defence and security forces for over 60 years now, with an endeavour to supply a range of world-class, high technology and reliable off-road mobility solutions. With technical support from Supacat we are proud to have been able to indigenously develop the LAMV, for vital reconnaissance mobility, protection and firepower for the Indian armed forces, giving them the much needed capabilities of rapid offensive thrusts into enemy territory.”

Since the prototype SPV400 was assessed in 2010 for the UK MoD’s LPPV, Supacat continued to develop the design to production standards, in order to meet international demand for this new class of vehicle.

Supacat is best known for developing the `Jackal` and `Coyote` vehicles operated by British Forces in Afghanistan and numerous special forces worldwide.

The UK high mobility vehicle specialist, Supacat, has prepared the sit-ski rig its engineers have adapted for Mick Brennan to ensure the athlete’s equipment is ready for the top level of competition in disability skiing.  Mick Brennan is a member of the Combined Services Disabled Ski Team (CSDST), which Supacat  sponsors with technical and financial support to the athletes.

The designers of the acclaimed `Jackal` off road patrol vehicle lent their expertise to design and custom build Mick Brennan’s sit-ski rig’s state of the art suspension system, which can be fine-tuned to all conditions.  The Dunkeswell, Devon, based company has supported the CSDST Team over the last five years and focussed on helping the performance athletes’ chances of selection to represent their country.

Mick lost both legs ten years ago in a suicide bomb attack in Iraq while serving with the Royal Signals.   He got onto skis for the first time in 2008 as part of his rehabilitation, and it was announced last week that Mick has been successful in his quest to represent ParalympicsGB in Alpine Skiing at the Sochi 2014 Paralympic Winter Games.

Mick Brennan said, “I feel as though I am one of the family in Dunkeswell.  For the last 5 years I have been climbing the world rankings in an attempt to get to the highest level in disability skiing.  The road has been long and difficult and the advances I have made along the way can be directly attributed to a number of factors; social, financial, physical and equipment are the key areas. A special mention must be made to the team that have helped to design certain aspects of equipment that I use. There are many areas but the main equipment change that made the greatest difference is the suspension system, without this I would be nowhere.  The guys have helped to develop a bespoke suspension system that is envied around the disability skiing circuit and has forced other teams into bettering their own equipment.  I guess, indirectly, the help I have received has influenced future safety and performance areas across the disability skiing world”.

Jamie Clarke, Supacat’s Head of Communications & Marketing said, “All of us at Supacat congratulate Mick on his selection.  Our engineers have spent a lot of time with him, both on and off snow, and the relationship has become a personal one for many within the company, who have all met him when he has visited our facility for technical support. We’re so pleased that he’s qualified which, for all sorts of reasons, has been a huge challenge for Mick. We are exceedingly proud to be associated with such an inspirational guy and we will be following his progress closely”.

Click here to view video of Mick