GM Defense to Sell Its Armored Suburban HD SUV in Europe

GM Defense is taking its armored vehicle, that looks like a Chevrolet Suburban but is actually built on a truck chassis, international. GM is teaming up with Jankel, a British manufacturer of defense systems, to market the HD SUV and another armored vehicle called the Integrated Armored Vehicle (IAV). Jankel already has a network of customers throughout Europe. The collaboration will include support work in the U.S., in addition to the UK, Europe and in other locations where Jankel has an established support capability.

“GM Defense is looking forward to collaborating with Jankel, who can help support mobility solutions such as the HD SUV and IAV,” said Steve duMont, president of GM Defense. “Aligning our capabilities with companies like Jankel, who have a proven track record among global defense and government customers, is important as GM Defense seeks to meet the needs of the UK Ministry of Defence’s Land Industrial Strategy and to help modernize the mobility platforms of our allies.”

$300 Million Dollar Department of State Contract

As I reported earlier, the U.S. State Department has awarded GM Defense a 10-year $300 million dollar contract for an indefinite number of Heavy-Duty armored Sport Utility Vehicle (HD SUV) for use in the State Department’s Diplomatic Security Service. This will help GM Defense gear up to build a larger number of armored vehicles including the Suburban HD SUVs and the Integrated Armored Vehicle (IAV). This recent contract grew out of an earlier $36 million dollar contract for prototype vehicles. 

New Armor Plating Technique

The newly designed GM Defense HD SUV will break from previous tradition and build the protective armor into the original design and manufacturing process. In the past, the vehicles were built and then sent to an upfitter to have the armor added. The new manufacturing process should provide superior vehicle performance while shortening the build time. 

GM Defense’s HD SUV uses a high percentage of commercial-off-the-shelf parts, including the body, exterior, propulsion, interior and brakes. The vehicle includes a new body-on-frame chassis and suspension, specifically designed to support the increased vehicle weight and performance requirements. In other words, the vehicle will be built to look like a Chevrolet Suburban but it will ride on a Heavy-Duty Silverado truck chassis. Similarly, GM builds Cadillac Limos to transport the President and Vice President but those are also built on truck chassis, carry armor plating and are equipped to allow the president to communicate in the case of Armageddon.

These specially designed vehicles include independent armoring certification with options and configurations to suit customer requirements. With armor built into the vehicle design, GM Defense delivers a purpose-built platform that works with the rest of the vehicle. These design features help ensure the vehicle is safe, reliable and easy to maneuver, just like GM’s popular off-roading trucks. The vehicles can also be serviced easily in areas of the world where GM Heavy Duty trucks are sold. GM Defense also offers the ability to produce international armored vehicle fleets quickly and efficiently.

Why GM Defense is Teaming Up with Jankel

Jankel is already one of the leading global suppliers of Civilian Armoured Vehicles to defense and security customers. Jankel also specializes in full-service support packages that include the complete spectrum of in-service vehicle support. Jankel has delivered over 2,000 specialist protected platforms to more than 15 global customers, including the United Kingdom, Europe and elsewhere.

“Announcing this MOU (Memorandum of Understanding) is a key step for Jankel as we continue to grow our global footprint in the defense and security vehicle space,” said Jankel Chairman Andrew Jankel. “In selecting Jankel, GM Defense has recognized our strong position in the UK and Europe, and we look forward to pursuing joint support opportunities for GM Defense’s IAV. Whilst our initial focus will be on support for the IAV, the collaboration allows for a broadening of the scope to include other GM Defense products and services provided we find suitable joint opportunities. We very much look forward to growing this important relationship.”

GM Photo

Mary Conway is a professional automotive journalist and has decades of experience specializing in automotive news analysis. She covered the Detroit Three for more than twenty years for the ABC affiliate, in Detroit. Her affection for the Motor City comes naturally. Her father ran a gas station while Mary was growing up, in Wisconsin.

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