Dunkeswell engineering and design company to continue developing its all-British SPC400 light protected patrol vehicle.

DUNKESWELL-based engineering and design company Supacat is to continue to develop its all-British SPV400 light protected patrol vehicle despite losing out on a lucrative Ministry of Defence contract.

The SPV400 succeeded in being taken forward to the tender stage, but was not selected as the preferred bidder.

“We are very disappointed by the decision,” said Nick Ames, Supacat’s managing director.

“The SPV400 is a world class vehicle. Its development in such a short period of time is a huge achievement for the team.”

But Mr Ames believes there is still massive market potential for the vehicle.

He said: “In addition to the interest from other armed forces, we perceive that NGOs and other civilian organisations operating in dangerous areas would benefit from the high levels of armour protection and off-road mobility offered by the SPV400.

“Therefore, we will be continuing to pursue international commercial opportunities for this world-leading vehicle technology.”

Supacat, which has supported community events in Honiton, including Armed Forces Day, designed the acclaimed Jackal and Coyote vehicles currently deployed in Afghanistan.

A civil variant has been chosen as the support vehicle by Bloodhound SCC in its bid for the World Speed Land Record.

Supacat is currently also developing a unique lifeboat launch and recovery vehicle for the RNLI.