Bushmasters deal boosts jobs

A FORTY-five-million-dollar contract to build fifteen more Bushmaster protected mobility vehicles in Bendigo is being hailed as a strengthening of Federal Government support for local jobs.

Minister of Defence Industry Pat Conroy announced Thales Australia had been awarded the contract at the manufacturer’s Bendigo site last week.

Thales has produced the vehicles at its Finn Street base for more than 20 years.

The Bushmasters are in use in nine countries and are renowned for their high level of protection and mobility for troops.

They are being used by Ukraine in medical evacuation, command and control, and fire support roles in its efforts against the Russian invasion.

Mr Conroy said the deal would support hundreds of local jobs and many more across the Victorian supply chain.

He said the new Bushmasters would be used by the army’s High Mobility Artillery Rocket System long-range fires regiment.

“This supports the Albanese Government’s $1.6 billion investment to accelerate the delivery of the first land-based long range fires capability for the Australian Defence Force, ensuring the ADF is equipped to deter potential threats and keep Australia safe,” the minister said.

Mr Conroy said the government had spent more than $200 million in Bendigo on 93 locally-made Bushmasters since coming to office.

“Protected vehicles such as the Bushmaster are part of the Sovereign Defence Industrial Priorities in the Defence Industry Development Strategy, and this announcement shows we are supporting the Australian defence industry to deliver out priorities,” he said.

Member for Bendigo Lisa Chesters said the contract would secure local jobs and is a commitment to local manufacturing.

“The iconic Bushmaster protected mobility vehicle is supporting defence industry jobs in Australia, as well as saving lives in military operations around the world,” Ms Chesters said.

“Bendigo has a proud history of defence manufacturing and the Bushmaster, proudly made here in Bendigo, is one of Australia’s best defence industry and export success stories.”