{"id":634228,"date":"2026-04-27T14:30:09","date_gmt":"2026-04-27T14:30:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/634228\/"},"modified":"2026-04-27T14:30:09","modified_gmt":"2026-04-27T14:30:09","slug":"australia-commits-535m-for-next-generation-bushmaster-pmvs","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/634228\/","title":{"rendered":"Australia commits $535m for next-generation Bushmaster PMVs"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"\/<\/p>\n

Thales Australia\u2019s Bushmaster. Credit: Thales.<\/p>\n

The Australian Government has committed an investment of A$750m ($535m) for the manufacturing of 268 next generation Bushmaster protected mobility vehicles (PMVs) for the Australian Defence Force (ADF).<\/p>\n

Thales Australia will produce these vehicles at its Bendigo facility in regional Victoria, supporting about 300 local jobs over a seven-year period.<\/p>\n

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The order continues over 20 years of Bushmaster manufacturing at Bendigo and forms part of a broader strategy to modernise the ADF\u2019s protected mobility fleet.<\/p>\n

Bushmasters play a key role in ADF\u2019s integrated operations, which include manoeuvre, long-range fires, and amphibious systems.<\/p>\n

Powered by Caterpillar 3126E engine, Bushmaster has the ability to carry a nine-person infantry section plus an additional passenger.<\/p>\n

The vehicle features an armoured v-shaped hull for protection against blast threats and can operate independently for up to three days.<\/p>\n

The new Bushmaster fleet for ADF will feature enhancements aimed at improving operational capability, the Australian Government said in a statement on 27 April 2026.<\/p>\n

Planned upgrades include improved armour, higher personnel and tow capacity, increased weapon system compatibility, a modular crew cabin, advanced digital communications, left-hand drive variants for export, and expanded integration options for sensors and effectors.<\/p>\n

The Bendigo-produced Bushmaster is in use with defence forces across nine countries, including the UK, New Zealand, the Netherlands, and Japan.<\/p>\n

Thales has delivered over 1,300 Bushmasters since production began, reflecting steady international demand.<\/p>\n

Thales Land and Air Systems executive vice-president Herv\u00e9 Dammann said: \u201cThis major contract for the delivery of hundreds of combat-proven vehicles demonstrates how government and industry can work together to deliver what this country needs.\u201d<\/p>\n

In addition to the current order, the government has agreed to export recently delivered Bushmasters to the Netherlands.<\/p>\n

Thales will replace these vehicles for the ADF at no extra cost during the next production round.<\/p>\n

The Bendigo facility is also manufacturing vehicles to replace those sent to Ukraine and undertaking the production of 59 additional Bushmasters for the Australian Army under the LAND 8113 programme.<\/p>\n

As part of wider defence investments, the government has also allocated A$450m to upgrade Thales Hawkei vehicles and improve Rheinmetall\u2019s medium and heavy truck capability.<\/p>\n

Hawkei upgrades will occur in Brisbane, supporting 150 jobs, with wider supply chain benefits across the country.<\/p>\n

In total, recent initiatives for protected mobility vehicles amount to a A$1.2bn commitment to strengthening national defence capability and supporting local industry in both Bendigo and Brisbane.<\/p>\n

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