Czech Republic Purchases 18 British-Made Supacat HMT Extenda Vehicles
The Czech Ministry of Defence has announced it was buying 18 British-made Supacat HMT Extenda high-mobility vehicles for the Army’s 601st Special Forces Group. These light-armoured trucks will replace aging Land Rover Defender 110 soft-escort platforms and even cover some of the light logistics roles formerly done by small Tatra vehicles.
The contract is split into vehicle chassis and Czech integration work. UK firm LPP (the exclusive Czech distributor) will deliver the bare Extenda 6×6 chassis at £32.6 million excluding VAT. At the same time, the Czech Military Technical Institute (VTÚ) will install weapons, comms and other mission systems at CZK 810 million excluding VAT. In total, this package is roughly CZK 1.76 billion (about 2.16 billion including VAT). More than half the budget pays for subsystems, accessories, training, and spare parts to ensure long-term operability. The first vehicles should arrive in 2026 and all deliveries should be completed by 2028, giving Czech special forces a new capability well into the next decade.
The HMT Extenda is a purpose-built desert patrol and support truck. The Czech Army will take the HMT 600 in 6×6 form, chosen for its roughly 3,800–3,900 kg payload capacity, far more than a Defender. With its 6×6 configuration, this form can carry up to 10.5 tons, and has enough fuel for a range of 700–1,000 km. The maximum road speed is about 120 km/h, and ground clearance can be adjusted from 180 to 485mm using its air suspension system. Modular design allows the Extenda to be reconfigured as a 4×4 or 6×6, with left- or right-hand drive, and it can be equipped with accessories like mine and ballistic armor kits, weapon mounts, and radio or sensor racks. The vehicle can carry a driver, a co-driver, and up to four soldiers plus equipment.
Czech planners chose Supacat’s Extenda after a thorough study of 14 vehicle types over 2020–21. One Czech special-forces officer explained, “The Land Rovers reached their limits as their load capacity and ballistic protection no longer meet today’s needs”. He noted that no other truck could match the Extenda’s ability to carry six people, gear, and provide room for future upgrades. Supacat and its Czech partner have also praised the deal. LPP’s managing director said, “The 601st will get the best ruggedised vehicle on the market and the Czech economy will benefit from the substantial share of industrial participation in the project.” Supacat’s head of the company added that “this order vindicates our conviction that the Supacat Extenda provides the Czech armed forces with not only the best combat performance but also substantial industrial partnerships.”
The delivery of 18 British-made HMT Extendas marks an important upgrade of Czech defence mobility. The Czech Republic is reinforcing its defense capabilities while phasing out obsolete vehicles by aligning special forces equipment with NATO standards and investing in local industry content.