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Use of the Thales-built protected mobility vehicle has been suspended following a safety incident in Victoria, Defence has confirmed.
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Defence is working with Thales Australia to investigate an unspecified "safety incident" involving the Hawkei PMV, which took place in late November at the Puckapunyal Military Area, Victoria.
Use of the Hawkei fleet has been suspended until the investigation identifies the cause of the incident and resolves the issue.
According to Defence, there were no injuries sustained as a result of the incident.
No details have been provided regarding the expected duration of the investigation.
In October 2015, the Australian government signed an agreement with Thales Australia for the acquisition and support of 1,100 Hawkei vehicles and 1,058 companion trailers, for use in “command, liaison, utility and reconnaissance roles”.
The vehicles are being specifically developed to meet the ADF’s requirements for survivability, mobility, payload, communications, usability and sustainability.
[Related: Thales to support joint UK-French mine countermeasures capability]
