Designed and built in Bendigo, Victoria, the Australian Army's Hawkei vehicle is ready to enter production.
The protected vehicle reveal was announced in a joint media release from Minister for Defence, Linda Reynolds; Minister for Defence Industry, Melissa Price; and Senator for Victoria, Sarah Henderson.
Set to support more than 200 local jobs, Thales’ Protected Vehicles facility will be the base for production. Additionally, another 180 jobs will be created nation-wide, as part of Thales' extensive supply chain.
“This is a highly effective capability being delivered in partnership between Defence and industry that builds on Thales’ iconic Bushmaster, which has been highly successful on operations overseas and exported around the world,” said Minister Reynolds.
The vehicle has well and truly met Defence protection requirements, performing exceptionally throughout comprehensive ballistic and blast testing.
“The Hawkei is a significant enhancement to existing land capability that will provide superior mobility, survivability and communications, while protecting the lives of our soldiers when operating in increasingly lethal and complex environments," said Reynolds.
The plan is for 1,100 Hawkei vehicles and 1,058 associated trailers to be delivered, with the full-rate production vehicles expected to commence delivery from mid-2021.
“The manufacture and ongoing support of the Hawkei vehicle creates significant long-term opportunities for Australian industry, including potential export opportunities, as we have seen with the Bushmaster vehicles,” said Minister Price.
The vehicle’s production is being hailed as a welcome boost to the Victorian economy.
For more information
Department of Defence: Hawkei image gallery