British armoured vehicles roll through Polish capital

British Jackal reconnaissance vehicles rolled through Warsaw as part of Poland’s Armed Forces Day parade, highlighting close cooperation between the UK and Poland within NATO.

The vehicles were drawn from the UK’s Forward Land Forces Battlegroup in Poland, a NATO deployment designed to bolster deterrence on the Alliance’s eastern flank. Their presence in the Polish capital underscored both interoperability and a highly visible demonstration of solidarity.

The UK Defence in Poland mission noted that the Jackals were participating under the banner of the Forward Land Forces BG Poland, showcasing “UK–Poland defence cooperation during the Polish Armed Forces Day parade.”

The Jackal, a high-mobility reconnaissance and patrol vehicle, has been used extensively by the British Army in both counterinsurgency and high-intensity training environments. Its appearance in Warsaw served as both a ceremonial display and a reminder of the UK’s continuing commitment to NATO’s deterrence posture in Central and Eastern Europe.

Poland’s Armed Forces Day marks the 1920 Battle of Warsaw, when Polish forces defeated the Red Army in what is often called the “Miracle on the Vistula.” Against the backdrop of ongoing tensions with Russia, this year’s celebrations carried additional weight, drawing contributions and observers from NATO allies including the United Kingdom.

Jackals on the move through Warsaw ❗️

Part of the FLFP – Forward Land Forces BG Poland NATO, showcasing UK–Poland defence cooperation during the #PolishArmedForcesDay parade 🇵🇱🤝🇬🇧#StrongerTogether #UKinPoland #Defence #WeAreNATO@Natobgest pic.twitter.com/TF4zxvIF2Z

— UK Defence in Poland (@UKDefencePoland) August 19, 2025

The Jackal

The Jackal 2 is a high-mobility weapons platform designed for patrol and fire-support roles, particularly in Afghanistan. It features a unique air-bag suspension system that provides rapid movement across rough terrain and can be adjusted for stability during firing or increased clearance over obstacles. Heavier than its predecessor for added protection, the vehicle is armed with a General Purpose Machine Gun for crew defence and can carry either a Heavy Machine Gun or a Grenade Machine Gun as its primary weapon. The forward-mounted gun ring offers a full 360-degree sweep of fire, while the related six-wheeled Coyote tactical support vehicle expands its role.

Procured to replace vulnerable Land Rover Wolf WMIK and Snatch Land Rover platforms, the Jackal 2 addressed shortcomings in blast protection. The Snatch Land Rover, once common in patrol roles, proved inadequate against improvised explosive devices, drawing criticism as unsafe for troops. By contrast, the Jackal was designed specifically to meet the British Army’s demand for a fast, agile, and heavily armed vehicle able to avoid conventional, ambush-prone routes while maintaining combat effectiveness.

Built on the HMT 400 design by Supacat, the Jackal 2 is produced under licence from Lockheed Martin with contributions from several contractors. Universal Engineering builds the chassis, Cummins provides the diesel engine, Allison supplies the transmission, and Fox Racing Shox manufactures the suspension. Jankel Armouring Ltd designed the blast and ballistic protection as well as the shock-mitigating seating, while Fujitsu and Smartgauge Electronics deliver the vehicle’s electronic systems. The open-topped design offers enhanced visibility and supports a variety of weapon systems including a 12.7 mm heavy machine gun, 7.62 mm GPMG, or 40 mm grenade launcher.

Capable of reaching 80 mph (130 km/h) on roads and sustaining 49 mph (79 km/h) across rough ground, the Jackal combines speed with survivability. Its hull incorporates advanced armour protection, including plating under the crew compartment and on vehicle sides. The vehicle’s manoeuvrability and stand-off firepower are intended to provide an additional layer of protection by reducing exposure to IED threats, though crews have still suffered casualties from such attacks. With a mass of 6,650 kg, a three-person crew, and modular composite armour kits, the Jackal 2 remains one of the British Army’s most versatile patrol and reconnaissance vehicles.