Australia Orders 293 Bushmaster MRAPs, Will Upgrade More M-113s

Australia Orders 293 Bushmaster MRAPs, Will Upgrade More M-113s (NSI News Source Info) October 30, 2008: The Minister for Defence, the Hon Joel Fitzgibbon MP, today announced that a contract has been signed with Thales Australia for an additional 293 Bushmaster vehicles.

The latest order brings to 737 the number of Bushmaster armored patrol vehicles ordered by the Australian Army.

“The Bushmaster has demonstrated its ability to provide a high level of protection for our soldiers,” Mr Fitzgibbon said. “This protection, coupled with exceptional mobility at speed and in desert conditions, provides a capability that is unparalleled by any comparable vehicle in operation in the world.” First deployed to the Middle East in 2005, the Bushmaster has acquitted itself well in Iraq and Afghanistan, proving to be a highly relevant and capable vehicle that has captured the attention of coalition armed forces. Bushmasters have been exported to the Netherlands and United Kingdom, and a number of other countries have also shown a keen interest in the Protected Mobility Vehicles. The Australian Defence Force (ADF) is providing protected mobility to Australian troops with the acquisition of a further 293 Bushmasters to meet Protected Mobility Medium requirements for Land 121 Project Overlander Phase 3. These vehicles will provide protection by replacing trucks where troops are required to travel in the rear of the vehicle. The Overlander Phase 3 requirement also includes additional vehicles to enable the Enhanced Land Force. “An enhanced acquisition process and close cooperation between the Australian Government and Australian industry has resulted in a world class product for Australia, and has received international interest,” Mr Fitzgibbon said. These additional Bushmasters will increase the total number of vehicles being acquired under Land 116 Project Bushmaster Phase 3 to 737. (ends) Government Approves Additional Armoured Personnel Carriers The Minister for Defence, the Hon. Joel Fitzgibbon MP, today announced that the Government has approved a $220 million project to upgrade 81 additional M113 Armoured Personnel Carriers (APC) to improve the protection, mobility and firepower of the Australian Army. LAND 106 is already delivering 350 upgraded M113 APC vehicles. This project is now back on track and delivering a reliable vehicle that provides increased firepower, protection and mobility. The Government has decided to upgrade an additional 81 APCs to improve the capability of the Army’s Mechanised Infantry units, 7 RAR, a recently established battalion, and 5 RAR, both of which are currently based in Darwin. “These high priority upgrades will provide improved protection, mobility and firepower to Australian soldiers, allowing missions to be carried out more efficiently, safely and effectively,” Mr Fitzgibbon said. These enhancements will include the stretching of the M113 vehicles, add-on armor kit, spall liners, the addition of a new Australian designed and built turret and new weapon, replacement of the drive train and suspension and the adoption of measures to improve the comfort of troops in the vehicle such as heat mitigation measures and better stowage of equipment. “The increased number of vehicles to be upgraded by BAE Systems Australia will see the production line at the Bandiana production facilities in northern Victoria remain open until July 2011,” Mr Fitzgibbon said. BAE Systems Australia is also opening additional facilities in Williamstown, Victoria and Wingfield, South Australia to ensure all of its delivery commitments are met.