In view of the need to strengthen their tactical ground mobility, the Special Forces of the Czech Republic will begin replacing their veteran Land Rovers with modern Supacat Extenda light armored vehicles, manufactured in the United Kingdom. This decision, recently approved by the Board of Defense Ministers, marks a key step in the renewal of the fleet assigned to special operations, ensuring greater logistical and operational capacity in high-demand scenarios.
The contract covers the purchase of 18 Supacat Extenda vehicles, which will be supplied by LPP, the brand’s exclusive representative in Czech territory. Subsequently, the state-owned company VTÚ will be responsible for the technical evaluation and integration of the specific systems required by the Special Forces, including weapons, communications, and protective equipment. In this way, the final configuration of each vehicle will be aligned with both national and NATO doctrines, as well as with the capability development objectives established for this type of unit.
According to Chief of the General Staff Karel Řehka, the acquisition “constitutes an important step in ensuring the mobility of the special forces and their readiness to carry out operational tasks.” The replacement had been necessary for years, as the Land Rovers in service had reached the end of their service life and could no longer meet the demands of modern deployments. According to studies carried out, the Supacat Extenda proved to be the only option that fully met Czech requirements, while also having the advantage of already being in service with several allied forces.
The contract has been structured in two phases. The first involves the acquisition of the chassis through LPP, while the second includes the involvement of VTÚ, which will evaluate and adapt each platform for operation under specific conditions. The value of the 18 chassis amounts to £32.6 million (around US$41.7 million), while the technical integration process is estimated to cost CZK 810 million (approximately US$34.8 million).
The Supacat Extenda belongs to the High Mobility Transporter (HMT) family, a platform that, since its introduction in 2004, has become a global benchmark in the field of tactical vehicles for special forces. The HMT line —which includes the 400, 600, and Extenda models— is characterized by an open architecture that allows for a wide range of configurations, protection levels, and mission modules. Currently, nearly a thousand units are in service in different countries, integrated into patrol, reconnaissance, transport, and combat support operations.
Among its advantages is its variable-height air suspension system, which provides outstanding performance on complex terrain and the ability to be internally transported in CH-47 Chinook helicopters. The Extenda model, the latest evolution of the family, offers a unique conversion capability: it can be configured as a 4×4 or 6×6 by adding or removing a modular third axle, multiplying its operational flexibility. This design, combined with a modular load system, facilitates the adaptation of the vehicle to missions as diverse as logistical support, deployment of heavy weapons, ISTAR operations, and force protection tasks.
With this acquisition, the Czech Special Forces not only renew a worn-out fleet but also incorporate a state-of-the-art tool that will enable them to operate in changing and demanding environments. The arrival of the Supacat Extenda strengthens interoperability with NATO partners and ensures a tactical advantage in mobility, protection, and sustainment—key aspects for long-range missions and strategic operations that these units must face in today’s international landscape.
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