The Hawkei PMV (Protected Mobility Vehicle)

The Hawkei PMV (Protected Mobility Vehicle)

Thales Australia will supply 1,100 4x4 Hawkei protected mobility vehicles (PMVs) and more than 1,000 trailers to the Australian Army in a AUS $1.3 billion (US $916 million) deal.

The vehicles will be acquired under Project Land 121 Phase 4, which evaluated the locally designed Hawkei against the US Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV).

“The Hawkei will improve protection for soldiers and enable them to operate in high-risk areas. It is the only protected mobility vehicle in the ADF that can be transported by ADF helicopters,” Turnbull said, during the announcement ceremony at the Army’s proving ground at Monegeetta, northwest of Melbourne. “Under a $1.3 billion agreement, the vehicles will be manufactured at Thales Australia’s production line in Bendigo, creating 170 jobs there and another 60 jobs in Victoria.”

Thales Australia has built the larger Bushmaster PMV at its Bendigo facility for Australia and export customers since 2004.

Turnbull said the Hawkei will incorporate a next-generation communications management system, which will be developed in Australia by Thales.

Pilot vehicle production will begin in 2016 and deliveries will start from late 2017. Full-rate production will begin in 2018.