Australia Orders 40 Additional Bushmasters Despite Past Problems
The federal government has awarded a $100 million contract to Thales, a French-owned company, to purchase 40 additional Bushmaster Protected Mobility Vehicles for the Australian Defence Force (ADF) fleet. This contract is expected to create job opportunities and will be based in South Australia upon completion.
These vehicles, known for their effectiveness, gained global recognition when Australia donated over 100 of them to Ukraine for its conflict with Russia. Thales has a history of manufacturing Bushmasters for the Australian Army and has already produced over 130 vehicles worth more than $300 million.
This new contract provides job security for Thales, especially at its Bendigo site, until the end of 2026. The additional order of Bushmaster vehicles will support approximately 250 local jobs in Bendigo and contribute to the supply chain in Victoria.
Defence Industry and Capability Delivery Minister Pat Conroy emphasized that this contract is part of the government’s strategy to enhance Australia’s defence capabilities amidst regional uncertainties. The Bushmaster vehicles will play a crucial role in expanding the Army’s long-range strike capability.
The new vehicles could potentially be used as missile platforms by the Army’s second long-range fires regiment, based in South Australia. The government is considering installing missiles on these vehicles, with a decision expected by the end of the year to further strengthen the Army’s capabilities.
Despite the positive news, Thales faced challenges with its Hawkei vehicles due to braking issues, causing delays in their rollout. Additionally, the company was under scrutiny after a former Defence Department official provided confidential information to Thales ahead of a billion-dollar deal in 2016, leading to an investigation by the National Anti-Corruption Commission.
