Australian government is set to announce a $1.2 billion (approximately $800 million USD) defense armored vehicle procurement and upgrade plan on Monday, April 27th. This comes as another concrete step following Australia’s announcement of a $53 billion (around $35 billion USD) increase in defense spending over the next decade.
According to reports from multiple Australian media outlets, Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Richard Marles is expected to unveil that the government has allocated $750 million (about $500 million USD) to purchase 268 “Bushmaster” armored vehicles, to be produced at the Thales factory in Bendigo, Victoria, and delivered over the next seven years.
Furthermore, the Australian government will invest $450 million (approximately $300 million USD) in upgrading the “Hawkei” armored vehicles of the Australian Defense Force at the Thales factory in Brisbane.
Minister Marles expressed to the Australian media that the Australian-made Bushmaster and Hawkei are recognized as world-leading protective mobility vehicles, not only supporting the Australian Defense Force but also bolstering defense capabilities for international partners.
The Australian Department of Defense released the “2026 National Defense Strategy” and the “2026 Integrated Investment Program” on April 16th.
The new strategy focuses on enhancing Australia’s ability to protect and defend its national interests in an increasingly competitive and uncertain environment, with the Integrated Investment Program supporting efforts to achieve the objectives of the 2026 National Defense Strategy. It aims to strengthen Australia’s independent defense industry base and establish stronger, more diversified international industrial partnerships and supply chains.
Just days earlier, Marles had announced that the Australian government had more than doubled spending on submarine projects.
In the upcoming armor vehicle procurement and upgrade plan by the Australian government, the Hawkei falls into the category of light armored vehicles, while the Bushmaster is classified as a medium armored vehicle.
Australia’s produced Bushmaster currently has over 1,300 units in production, with over 12 variants including troop carriers, ambulances, command/electronic warfare vehicles, route clearance vehicles, and mortar derivatives. Apart from Australia, the Bushmaster also serves defense forces in the Middle East, Europe, Africa, and Asia. In 2023 during the Russia-Ukraine conflict, Australia donated 120 Bushmaster armored vehicles to Ukraine.
According to the Australian military’s website, the Bushmaster armored vehicle boasts blast-resistant capabilities, with the sloped hull deflecting explosion shock waves upward, away from the vehicle to protect occupants from landmines and other explosive devices. The vehicle features a welded monocoque hull to shield soldiers from all light weapon fire, with bullet-resistant windows as an added protective measure.
The innovative cabin design of the Bushmaster allows for versatile mission capabilities, enabling the deployment of up to ten fully armed soldiers in various environments. Equipped with a full air conditioning system, the Bushmaster can operate independently for up to three days.
The Bushmaster’s fuel and hydraulic tanks are located outside the crew compartment to safeguard soldiers from fire threats. Additionally, the vehicle is equipped with guarded emergency fuel tanks to ensure it does not become immobilized due to fuel depletion.