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).
Thales Australia will produce these vehicles at its Bendigo facility in regional Victoria, supporting about 300 local jobs over a seven-year period.
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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’s protected mobility fleet.
Bushmasters play a key role in ADF’s integrated operations, which include manoeuvre, long-range fires, and amphibious systems.
Powered by Caterpillar 3126E engine, Bushmaster has the ability to carry a nine-person infantry section plus an additional passenger.
The vehicle features an armoured v-shaped hull for protection against blast threats and can operate independently for up to three days.
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.
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.
The Bendigo-produced Bushmaster is in use with defence forces across nine countries, including the UK, New Zealand, the Netherlands, and Japan.
Thales has delivered over 1,300 Bushmasters since production began, reflecting steady international demand.
Thales Land and Air Systems executive vice-president Hervé Dammann said: “This 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.”
In addition to the current order, the government has agreed to export recently delivered Bushmasters to the Netherlands.
Thales will replace these vehicles for the ADF at no extra cost during the next production round.
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.
As part of wider defence investments, the government has also allocated A$450m to upgrade Thales Hawkei vehicles and improve Rheinmetall’s medium and heavy truck capability.
Hawkei upgrades will occur in Brisbane, supporting 150 jobs, with wider supply chain benefits across the country.
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.
