A BUSINESS based near Honiton has been awarded a �74m contract to supply the MOD with state-of-the art military vehicles. Supacat, whose 100-strong project team is based at Dunkeswell, unveiled its high mobility, all-terrain Jackal 2 vehicle as the deal w

A BUSINESS based near Honiton has been awarded a �74m contract to supply the MOD with state-of-the art military vehicles.Supacat, whose 100-strong project team is based at Dunkeswell, unveiled its high mobility, all-terrain Jackal 2 vehicle as the deal was announced yesterday (Tuesday).The business, led by managing director Nick Ames, will supply 100-plus vehicles.They will be used by special forces in Afghanistan and the first vehicles to roll off the production line are expected to be in the conflict zone by the end of the year.Supacat will also provide at least 70 six-by-six Coyote trucks to the MOD.The Supacat vehicles have been selected as part of the UK Protected Mobility Package, announced by the Government late last year.Contracts for the work have already been signed and Mr Ames has been described as "clearly delighted" with a move that will safeguard jobs and put Supacat in a new league. Supacat spokesman Ed Lloyd-Owen said: "I'm an ex-Army officer and I would have loved to have had one of these vehicles."A Government minister was due to announce the deal at the Long Valley test ground, in Aldershot, as your Herald was going to press.