The first of the UK military's tough new Jackal 4x4 patrol vehicles have been put through their paces in Helmand province, southern Afghanistan.

The introduction of up to 100 of the new vehicles will mark a significant improvement on the capabilities of the current weapons platform, the Land Rover-based Weapons Mounted Installation Kit (WMIK), for UK forces on the front line.

Awesome firepower and agility puts Jackal in class of its own.  The Jackal's 5.9litre engine is capable of maintaining off-road speeds of up to 80km/h and can reach a top speed of 130km/h. The vehicle's extended range and ability to operate across a variety of extreme environments give it a huge advantage over its WMIK predecessor.

A unique airbag suspension system provides a more stable firing platform and can raise the seven-tonne vehicle more than a metre from the ground, allowing it to clear obstacles or provide a better view of the field of operations.

Capable of carrying combinations of .50 calibre (12.7mm) machine guns, Heckler & Koch 40mm grenade launchers and General Purpose Machine Guns, the Jackal's agility, range and awesome firepower will offer frontline commanders greater flexibility in the conduct of ground operations.

Major Tom Wood, part of the team that produced the vehicle, said:

"I don't think we, as an Army, have ever bought such an incredible piece of kit before. It packs as much power as some of our tanks."

Although incorporating a fully-integrated protection system and reinforced armour plating, Jackal's main defences are its mobility and agility. This makes Jackal perfectly suited to the operational terrain of southern Afghanistan, where speed and manoeuvrability are essential.

Jackal spec
Crew: 2+1
Length: 5.39m
Width: 2.00m
Height: 1.97m (not including weapon system)
Weight: 6,650kg
Engine: 5.9 litre Cummins ISBe Euro3
Jackal is ready to receive the British Armed Forces' new BOWMAN communications equipment.