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image-1 = images/ArmyVehicles/Pic-2-Bushmaster-dc.jpg title-1 = description-1 = The Bushmaster Protected Mobility Vehicle – Medium (PMV-M) is a locally produced vehicle that can rapidly deploy up to 10 battle ready troops in all environments, and is blast resistant. It is fully air-conditioned and can sustain itself for a period of up to three days. (Source - Department of Defence) status-1 = 1 image-2 = images/ArmyVehicles/Pic-5-Hawkei-dc.jpg title-2 = description-2 = LAND 121 Phase 4 sees the acquisition of 1,100 Hawkei vehicles and 1,058 companion trailers, with the Thales-designed vehicle providing a level of protection to the Bushmaster, at around half the weight. The vehicle provides a high level of protection against blast and ballistic threats, with "significantly improved mobility", which enables it to operate in high-risk areas.
(Source - Department of Defence) status-2 = 1 image-3 = images/ArmyVehicles/Pic-9-Perentie-dc.jpg title-3 = description-3 = The Army operated a fleet of over 5,000 Land Rover Perenties before they were phased out by the Mercedes G-Wagon's as part of LAND 121 Phase 3A. Over a four-year period from 2012 to 2016, the Perenties were retired from service after nearly 30 years in use.
(Source - Department of Defence) status-3 = 1 image-4 = images/ArmyVehicles/Pic-10-G-Wagon-dc.jpg title-4 = description-4 = The G-Wagon is a general purpose vehicle for on and off-road use, is powered by a V6 diesel engine, and has enhanced handling and rollover protection for a safer transport option for land forces. The G-Wagon and its range of trailers and modules are designed to be used by the Australian Army for supporting disaster relief and securing Australia’s coastline. Variants include 4x4 and 6x6 all-wheel drives and an extensive range of modules, providing the
flexibility to undertake a wide range of tasks in difficult off-road conditions.
(Source - Department of Defence) status-4 = 1 image-5 = images/ArmyVehicles/Pic-3-Bushmaster-dc.jpg title-5 = description-5 = With a maximum speed of over 100 kilometres per hour, the Bushmaster is able to protect its passengers from landmines and other explosive devices thanks to its armoured v-shaped hull. The sloped sides on the bottom of the hull deflect blast upward away from the vehicle.
(Source - Department of Defence) status-5 = 1 image-6 = images/ArmyVehicles/Pic-12-RMMV-dc.jpg title-6 = description-6 = Delivery started in 2017 from Rheinmetall MAN Military Vehicles Australia (RMMVA) for 2,707 medium and heavy vehicles, with the heavy's replacing the ADF's Mack trucks, and the medium trucks replacing the Unimog trucks. Around 40 per cent of the RMMVA provided vehicles are fitted with armoured cabins to protect against ballistic and blast threats.
(Source - Department of Defence) status-6 = 1 image-7 = images/ArmyVehicles/Pic-14-Extenda-dc.jpg title-7 = description-7 = The latest variant of the Supacat HMT Mk2 Extenda was procured under Joint Project 2097 (REDFIN) Phase 1B. REDFIN seeks to enhance the Australian Defence Force's Special Operations capability. They are designed to meet Australian Special Force's specific requirements, including recovery and airlift provisions, weapon and C4 (command and control, computers and communications) integration, and equipment load carriage.
(Source - Department of Defence) status-7 = 1 image-8 = images/ArmyVehicles/Pic-6-Hawkei-dc.jpg title-8 = description-8 = The Hawkei is the only Australian military vehicle than can be airlifted by ADF helicopters, and can also be airlifted by C-130 Hercules. Two months ago, the ADF has successfully completed a series of trials in Stage Two of the Hawkei program, with full-rate production due to start at Thales' Bendigo facility later this year.
(Source - Department of Defence) status-8 = 1 image-9 = images/ArmyVehicles/Pic-13-RMMV-dc.jpg title-9 = description-9 = The RMMVA vehicles provide enhanced performance and protection for the ADF’s training and logistic support capability by providing uniformity throughout the fleet, with each truck fitted with military radios and the ADF’s Battle Management System as part of the Army’s move to a digitised capability. (Source - Department of Defence) status-9 = 1 image-10 = images/ArmyVehicles/Pic-4-Bushmaster-dc.jpg title-10 = description-10 = The Defence Capability Acquisition and Sustainment Group purchased over 1,000 PMV-Ms for Army and Air Force under LAND 116 Project Bushranger, with the vehicles being built in country Victoria. CASG purchased seven variants of the Bushmaster: troop, command, mortar, assault pioneer, direct fire weapon, ambulance and air defence. A new general maintenance variant is being created by modifying the assault pioneer variant, and an electronic warfare variant is also being developed. (Source - Department of Defence)
status-10 = 1 image-11 = images/ArmyVehicles/Pic-11-G-Wagon-dc.jpg title-11 = description-11 = The G-Wagon fleet comprises nine mission system variants and configurations, including medical, reconnaissance, canine and cargo configurations. The vehicles were manufactured in Austria before being shipped to Mulgrave, Victoria, where integrated vehicle and module mission systems were delivered. (Source - Department of Defence) status-11 = 1 image-12 = images/ArmyVehicles/Pic-7-Hawkei-dc.jpg title-12 = description-12 = Stage 3 of the Hawkei program is full-rate production, with the remaining 1,000 vehicles and 958 trailers to be delivered to Defence by 2022. The government signed an agreement with Thales Australia in October 2015 for the acquisition and support of 1,100 Hawkei vehicles and 1,058 companion trailers, for use in "command, liaison, utility and reconnaissance roles". (Source - Department of Defence) status-12 = 1 image-13 = images/ArmyVehicles/Pic-15-Extenda-dc.jpg title-13 = description-13 = Western Sydney-based company Baker and Provan was selected as the preferred assembly partner, and provides services including fabrication, paint, vehicle assembly and testing, assembly management, purchasing and quality assurance for the SOV-Cdo vehicles. The vehicles replaced the Long Range Patrol Vehicle that the SAS used to operate. (Source - Department of Defence) status-13 = 1 image-14 = images/ArmyVehicles/Pic-8-Hawkei-dc.jpg title-14 = description-14 = The Hawkei is designed for a wide range of roles including: command, liaison, patrol, logistics, air defence and reconnaissance. The large, air conditioned crew protection cell can seat up to five occupants in the four-door variant, or up to three occupants in the two-door variant. The 4x4 vehicle has a max speed of 115km/h and a max range of 600 kilometres. (Source - Department of Defence) status-14 = 1 image-15 = title-15 = description-15 = status-15 = image-16 = title-16 = description-16 = status-16 = image-17 = title-17 = description-17 = status-17 = image-18 = title-18 = description-18 = status-18 = image-19 = title-19 = description-19 = status-19 = image-20 = title-20 = description-20 = status-20 =
Photo Essay: Australian Army’s range of support vehicles
Under Project LAND 121, Defence has sought to transform the support capabilities of the Australian Army, by introducing current-generation, high-capability field vehicles, modules and trailers.
Under Project LAND 121, Defence has sought to transform the support capabilities of the Australian Army, by introducing current-generation, high-capability field vehicles, modules and trailers.
LAND 121 will deliver around 7,500 protected and unprotected vehicles to the Australian Army by the time it is concluded, providing battlefield mobility and logistics support for Australia's land forces.
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"Overall, Project LAND 121 will deliver a networked and integrated capability as a significant contribution to the modernisation of the land forces," the Australian Army's website reads.
"Ongoing co-operation with a number of projects delivering command, control, communication, computing and intelligence (C4I) and force protection solutions will see the delivery of vehicles with a generational advancement on current fleet technology."
This multibillion-dollar project, which will see the introduction of 1,100 Thales Hawkei vehicles, 2,268 G-Wagon all-wheel drives and 2,536 medium and heavy vehicles (from Rheinmetall MAN Military Vehicles Australia and Haulmark Trailers Australia), as well as the modification of 49 existing Bushmaster protected mobility vehicles, is currently rolling out across the Army, and will continue to do so for the next few years.
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Scroll through the photos above for a look at the Army's range of support vehicles.
Photo Essay: Australian Army’s range of support vehicles
Louis Dillon
The Bushmaster Protected Mobility Vehicle – Medium (PMV-M) is a locally produced vehicle that can rapidly deploy up to 10 battle ready troops in all environments, and is blast resistant. It is fully air-conditioned and can sustain itself for a period of up to three days. (Source - Department of Defence)
LAND 121 Phase 4 sees the acquisition of 1,100 Hawkei vehicles and 1,058 companion trailers, with the Thales-designed vehicle providing a level of protection to the Bushmaster, at around half the weight. The vehicle provides a high level of protection against blast and ballistic threats, with "significantly improved mobility", which enables it to operate in high-risk areas.
(Source - Department of Defence)
The Army operated a fleet of over 5,000 Land Rover Perenties before they were phased out by the Mercedes G-Wagon's as part of LAND 121 Phase 3A. Over a four-year period from 2012 to 2016, the Perenties were retired from service after nearly 30 years in use.
(Source - Department of Defence)
The G-Wagon is a general purpose vehicle for on and off-road use, is powered by a V6 diesel engine, and has enhanced handling and rollover protection for a safer transport option for land forces. The G-Wagon and its range of trailers and modules are designed to be used by the Australian Army for supporting disaster relief and securing Australia’s coastline. Variants include 4x4 and 6x6 all-wheel drives and an extensive range of modules, providing the
flexibility to undertake a wide range of tasks in difficult off-road conditions.
(Source - Department of Defence)
With a maximum speed of over 100 kilometres per hour, the Bushmaster is able to protect its passengers from landmines and other explosive devices thanks to its armoured v-shaped hull. The sloped sides on the bottom of the hull deflect blast upward away from the vehicle.
(Source - Department of Defence)
Delivery started in 2017 from Rheinmetall MAN Military Vehicles Australia (RMMVA) for 2,707 medium and heavy vehicles, with the heavy's replacing the ADF's Mack trucks, and the medium trucks replacing the Unimog trucks. Around 40 per cent of the RMMVA provided vehicles are fitted with armoured cabins to protect against ballistic and blast threats.
(Source - Department of Defence)
The latest variant of the Supacat HMT Mk2 Extenda was procured under Joint Project 2097 (REDFIN) Phase 1B. REDFIN seeks to enhance the Australian Defence Force's Special Operations capability. They are designed to meet Australian Special Force's specific requirements, including recovery and airlift provisions, weapon and C4 (command and control, computers and communications) integration, and equipment load carriage.
(Source - Department of Defence)
The Hawkei is the only Australian military vehicle than can be airlifted by ADF helicopters, and can also be airlifted by C-130 Hercules. Two months ago, the ADF has successfully completed a series of trials in Stage Two of the Hawkei program, with full-rate production due to start at Thales' Bendigo facility later this year.
(Source - Department of Defence)
The RMMVA vehicles provide enhanced performance and protection for the ADF’s training and logistic support capability by providing uniformity throughout the fleet, with each truck fitted with military radios and the ADF’s Battle Management System as part of the Army’s move to a digitised capability. (Source - Department of Defence)
The Defence Capability Acquisition and Sustainment Group purchased over 1,000 PMV-Ms for Army and Air Force under LAND 116 Project Bushranger, with the vehicles being built in country Victoria. CASG purchased seven variants of the Bushmaster: troop, command, mortar, assault pioneer, direct fire weapon, ambulance and air defence. A new general maintenance variant is being created by modifying the assault pioneer variant, and an electronic warfare variant is also being developed. (Source - Department of Defence)
The G-Wagon fleet comprises nine mission system variants and configurations, including medical, reconnaissance, canine and cargo configurations. The vehicles were manufactured in Austria before being shipped to Mulgrave, Victoria, where integrated vehicle and module mission systems were delivered. (Source - Department of Defence)
Stage 3 of the Hawkei program is full-rate production, with the remaining 1,000 vehicles and 958 trailers to be delivered to Defence by 2022. The government signed an agreement with Thales Australia in October 2015 for the acquisition and support of 1,100 Hawkei vehicles and 1,058 companion trailers, for use in "command, liaison, utility and reconnaissance roles". (Source - Department of Defence)
Western Sydney-based company Baker and Provan was selected as the preferred assembly partner, and provides services including fabrication, paint, vehicle assembly and testing, assembly management, purchasing and quality assurance for the SOV-Cdo vehicles. The vehicles replaced the Long Range Patrol Vehicle that the SAS used to operate. (Source - Department of Defence)
The Hawkei is designed for a wide range of roles including: command, liaison, patrol, logistics, air defence and reconnaissance. The large, air conditioned crew protection cell can seat up to five occupants in the four-door variant, or up to three occupants in the two-door variant. The 4x4 vehicle has a max speed of 115km/h and a max range of 600 kilometres. (Source - Department of Defence)
Anonymous - Thanks Robert for your refreshing analysis and proposal ! The current course of action was ill conceived and totally shortsighted, due principally to.......
Mike - With the rapidly changing global picture there is a dire need for agile defence procurement. Waiting 15-20 years from decision to get the first hull.......
