A man takes pictures of a soldier sitting in a military vehicle, with a machine gun mounted on it, after the Thai army took their positions in central Bangkok May 20, 2014.
A man takes pictures of a soldier sitting in a military vehicle, with a machine gun mounted on it, after the Thai army took their positions in central Bangkok May 20, 2014. Thailand's army declared martial law on Tuesday to restore order after six months of anti-government protests which have left the country without a proper functioning government, but the move did not constitute a coup, military officials said. Reuters/Stringer

Australia has announced the purchase of 1,100 light armoured vehicles from French defence and electronics firm Thales SA for AU$1.3 billion. This will be to replace the ageing Land Rover Defender-based Bushmaster vehicles used by the Australian Defence Force.

The defence purchase is expected to help in the revival of Victoria's manufacturing industry as the contract can generate at least 170 jobs in Bendigo and 60 jobs in the Victorian supply chain. Overall, the deal mandates delivery of 1100 vehicles and 1000 trailers.

Thales Australia won the competitive international tender after its locally designed and built Hawkei patrol vehicle impressed the selection committee. According to a statement from Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull’s office, the Hawkei light armoured vehicles will be replacing the heavier Bushmaster also manuactured by Thales. What makes Hawkei distinct is that it will be the only vehicle in the Australian Defence Force that can be transported by helicopter, according to the PM's statement, Reuters reported.

Local production

The full production of the Hawkei is expected to begin in 2018, with pilot production set to start in early 2016. Other merits of the vehicle will be its enormous “export potential,” noted Defence Minister Marise Payne.

The French manufacturer was selected over many other bids including the one from U.S. defence giant General Dynamics Corp. Thales Australia CEO Chris Jenkins said the vehicles and trailers would be produced in three to five years.

The armored vehicle Hawkei was developed under a joint partnership among Thales, Boeing and armor specialist Plusan. Its name symbolises a snake. Hawkei has almost the same size as the U.S Military’s new Oshkosh L-ATV and weighs 15,000-pound.

Hawkei can resist both ballistic and roadside explosives, thanks to its V-shaped hull design and armour made of ceramic composites and steel. It is still light weight and can be transported into action by a CH47 Chinook helicopter, Fox News reported. In terms of capacity, the 4x4 truck can carry four-six passengers and is powered by a Steyr six-cylinder turbo diesel engine.

PM’s inspection

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull inspected the hi-tech vehicles at the Australian Defence Force ground at Monegeeta, near Melbourne, where the prototypes are being tested.

Turnbull praised the Bushmaster and said it is a globally recognised world-leader. The PM noted that no Australian had been killed while travelling in those larger armoured vehicles. Turnbull said Hawkei would provide similar protection with its additional advantage of easy transportation by Australian Defence Force helicopters.

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