Babcock International Group, in partnership with ST Engineering, has unveiled a new 120mm Ground Deployed Advanced Mortar System (GDAMS) at the Defence Vehicle Dynamics (DVD) 2024 event.
The vehicle-mounted, hinged mortar system is designed to address the UK Armed Forces’ need for increased firepower and is the first UK-manufactured 120mm mortar system in decades.
The collaboration between Babcock and ST Engineering brings together expertise from both companies to deliver a system aimed at enhancing the British Army’s indirect fire capabilities. Built at Babcock’s Devonport facility, the system utilises a UK supply chain, creating local jobs and aligning with the UK’s Land Industrial Strategy.
If selected for the British Army’s in-direct fires programme, production of the 120mm GDAMS could create up to 70 new skilled jobs in the South-West, bolstering the regional economy and securing long-term work for Babcock’s existing workforce in Plymouth.
Tom Newman, Chief Executive of Babcock’s Land business, described the potential impact of the new system: “The Babcock 120mm GDAMS can support the modernisation of the British Army with increased firepower while also improving availability and affordability of key equipment.”
Brigadier General (Ret) Jin Kiat Chua, Head of ST Engineering’s International Business, Defence and Public Security, said the system would increase tactical firepower and provide the British Army with a sovereign solution that supports its broader strategic goals. “This collaboration combines ST Engineering’s expertise with Babcock’s production capabilities to enhance the combat effectiveness of the British Army,” he said.
Well that has to be a record on 29th August Babcock announced that Perfect Bore Manufacturing were going to be making 120mm Mortar barrels for their joint project with ST Engineering.
Now we know why ! And with SFM starting to build rifled barrels for the Army and RN we have heavy armament capability back in the UK.
Crikey we will be building Assault Rifles next. 🤔
All we need now is HMG and the army to actually buy the system.
Though I read a turreted mortar is still the front runner.
What vehicle is it mounted on? One of the Supacat range?
This for the lighter wheeled infantry and the turret 120mm for the Mech Inf?
Patria NEMO 120mm turreted mortar system mounted on the Boxer platform??
Yes. And an article on this has now appeared. Still no official announcement AFAIK just an ongoing rumour from last year.
Looks like that extended Jackal Supacat showed off recently, that is built by Babcock.
With that and the Boxer NEMO article, a whole lot of connected stuff happening at the moment.
I’d take two systems as long as they had the same barrels and ammo, otherwise the twin manufacturing bases doesn’t make sense.
Agree turreted NEMO for the.Boxer Bns and this for 4X, 7X and 16 Air Assault Bde would be my ideal mix . I would still retain the 81mm for the light role Inf however, prob at Coy level with this in Support Coy under Bn HQ. Could be useful for RM too.
Oh God yes. This should be to augment and increase FP, not get rid of the 81mm!
I read the Army already disposed of the 60mm Mortar?
That may not have been wise..the US keeps and uses all three in its mortar squads. Even the striker 120mm mortar teams have a 60mm packed so they can use it dismounted or if they need a smaller bang than a street clearing 120mm ( most people forget a 120mm mortar has more explosive than a 155mm shell).
indeed it’s not a replacement for 81mm completely different. Interestingly US army mortar squads actual train on, access and use a mix of 60mm, 81mm and 120mm depending on the tactical situation..apart from the striker mounted mortar squads who have the striker mounted 120mm and a 60mm dismount option ( no 81mm for the strikers).
Yes I would imagine that 1st division could see this mounted on a Supacat offering for 16th 7th and 4th brigade combat teams. It would be a massive uplift in the lethality of the fires in 1st divisions brigades.
The boxer mounted 120mm would be perfect for the 3rd divisions , 1st 12th and 20th.
With a giant hole saw on the bottom of the mortar – ready to do some cutouts for some super sized spotlights!
It must be pretty miserable using those vehicles when it’s pissing down and blowing a gale. Surely that degrades physical performance and morale? Put a proper cab on it.
A version with an armoured cab is currently showing at the current arms show, and supacat are touting that it could take Boxer modules. Now there’s forward thinking!
AA
Surely a Boxer module would be way too heavy for a Jackal or Coyote?
It would be great if that was the case, but seems unlikely.
Not all the modules, just C&C, medical, mortar carrier and ISR if I recall correctly. We’re not going to see an RCH155/jackal mashup!
Yes, I should have been more specific. Ta
AA