Australia to Spend $1.2 Billion on New Military Vehicles

The spending will be used to acquire 268 new Bushmasters and upgrade the Defence Force’s current Hawkei armoured vehicle fleet.
Australia to Spend $1.2 Billion on New Military Vehicles
An Australian Defence Force Bushmaster protected mobility vehicle on display in Avalon, Australia, on March 3, 2023. Asanka Ratnayake/Getty Images
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Australia has announced a further boost to defence spending, committing $1.2 billion (US$860 million) to new defence vehicles as part of an additional spending package unveiled earlier this month.

The latest spend sees $750 million going to weapons manufacturer Thales Australia to commission 268 new Bushmasters—Australian-designed, 4x4 mine-resistant armoured vehicles tailored for high-level blast protection and troop transport.

Rex Widerstrom
Rex Widerstrom
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Rex Widerstrom is a New Zealand-based reporter with over 40 years of experience in media, including radio and print. He is currently a presenter for Hutt Radio.