GM Defense, a subsidiary of General Motors, has partnered with BAE Systems and NP Aerospace to create “Team LionStrike,” a consortium focused on competing for the UK Ministry of Defence’s (MoD) Light Mobility Vehicle (LMV) program.
The LMV is part of the broader Land Mobility Programme, which aims to consolidate and replace aging and varied vehicle platforms. The MoD plans to acquire several thousand new vehicles over the next decade to support infantry, cavalry, and artillery units.
Steve duMont, president of GM Defense, said:
“Soldiers in the United Kingdom, the United States, and our allies are facing unprecedented complexity in the modern battlespace and need new tools to perform their mission with greater operational capability, higher performance, and improved safety and reliability. We have formed Team LionStrike with BAE Systems and NP Aerospace to make the U.K. more secure with fast, flexible, and effective mobility solutions that reduce the complexity, cost, and risks of training and deploying troops.”
GM Defense will offer its Infantry Squad Vehicle (ISV), a nine-soldier carrier derived from the Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 platform. The ISV can be transported by helicopter, either sling-loaded or inside a CH-47 Chinook, and includes features such as electronic stability control and anti-lock brakes. The design incorporates lessons from GM’s desert racing activities and feedback from U.S. Army airborne divisions. Earlier in 2025, the ISV received the National Defense Industrial Association’s Red Ball Express award for its contribution to infantry mobility.
BAE Systems’ role in the partnership will include adapting and upgrading commercial trucks and SUVs for military use through its Weapon Systems UK business. John Borton, managing director of the unit, said:
“The combined capabilities of Team LionStrike enable us to lead the charge for the U.K. government’s ambitions to revitalize and sustain vital U.K. Defense capacity, and ensure the British Army has the best capabilities to support their evolving needs. The team’s expertise in innovation, technical excellence, and proven capabilities will equip the British military with enhanced mobile combat capability – helping them to stay unmatched in battle.”
NP Aerospace will act as design authority and integrator for UK-specific requirements. The company has previously supported more than 18,000 in-service vehicles. Its CEO, James Kempston, said:
“We are proud to have been selected by GM Defense to join Team LionStrike, alongside BAE Systems. NP Aerospace is a trusted partner of the U.K. Ministry of Defense, with a long history of integrating and supporting more than 18,000 in-service vehicle systems. As the team’s proposed U.K.-based Design Authority, specialist integrator, and support provider, NP Aerospace brings proven expertise and a strong track record of delivery. This ensures that Team LionStrike can be relied upon to deliver future vehicle programs, including LMV. Importantly, Team LionStrike will help create and sustain skilled jobs at our Midlands base and generate new opportunities for our well-established U.K. supply chain, both domestically and internationally. This is a win-win for the Ministry of Defense, industry, and the wider U.K. economy.”
Team LionStrike will present its offering at the Defence and Security Equipment International (DSEI) exhibition in London, starting September 9, 2025.
