Australia has announced a plan to build 40 Bushmaster Protected Mobility Vehicles domestically for the army, further supporting the country’s commitment to defense and economic growth.
The 100-million Australian dollar ($62.1 million) effort will see the government partner with defense contractor Thales to manufacture the fleet in Bendigo, Victoria, which has been a source of international mobility systems for more than 20 years.
The incoming platforms will add to over 130 Bendigo-made Bushmasters that have been distributed to the Australian Army over the past two years.
Canberra noted that the new vehicles will be stationed at the Edinburgh Defence Precinct in South Australia, where they will be distributed to the army’s Second Long-Range Fires Regiment under the 10th Fires Brigade.
Once commissioned, most of the systems will provide assistance to multi-mission phased array radar batteries used in command and control tasks.
This latest work in Bendigo is expected to support more than 250 work opportunities in the region.
“The Bushmaster vehicles will contribute to the acceleration of a land-based long-range strike capability for the Army, demonstrating a commitment to modernising the Australian Defence Force,” Australian Defence Industry Minister Pat Conroy stated.
“This contract underscores the Albanese Government’s commitment to providing the Australian Defence Force with the capabilities and equipment it needs to keep Australians safe.”
“This additional investment will support hundreds of jobs, underscoring the Albanese Government’s commitment not only to the people of the Bendigo region but to building Australia’s future.”
Canberra’s latest investment follows the government’s order of 15 locally-made Bushmasters for the army in July 2024.
The Australian Army Bushmaster System
Australia’s Bushmaster measures 7 meters (23 feet) long and weighs about 12,500 kilograms (27,558 pounds).
It can carry up to 10 personnel and is covered with NATO-standard armor that can be configured against ballistic to explosive effects.
The vehicle is powered by a 300-horsepower Caterpillar 3126E 6-cylinder diesel engine and a 6-speed transmission for a range of 800 kilometers (497 miles) and speed over 100 kilometers (62 miles) per hour.
The platform can be armed with a remote weapon station or a manned open turret capable of integrating 5.56-millimeter and 7.62-millimeter machine guns.
