Counter-IED variant gives Thales's Bushmaster extra edge
24 March 2009
The nine vehicles are equipped with an interrogation arm designed to help crews uncover, investigate and examine suspect items such as Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) from within the Bushmaster. Each arm is fitted with a camera and metal detector to assist in this activity.
The result of a request from the Netherlands Ministry of Defence, the new variant demonstrates Thales's extensive systems integration expertise in Bendigo, as well as the flexibility of the Bushmaster as a platform for new capabilities.
When delivered, the company will have supplied 58 Bushmasters to the Netherlands.
Chris Jenkins, Thales Australia's Managing Director, said the increasing threats posed by IEDs were a driving factor in technological innovation.
"The Bushmaster's flexibility allows us to incorporate new capabilities and systems, which offer troops increased levels of protection as they carry out their duties.
"We are very pleased to deliver this solution to the Dutch military, and welcome their close collaboration in designing, testing and manufacturing the new Bushmaster capability.
"Thales is the only company with the capacity to design and manufacture world leading protected mobility vehicles in Australia.
"We are very proud of the contribution to defence force safety by this unrivalled local expertise gained over many years of hard work, with many highly skilled employees creating what is a unique centre of excellence in regional Victoria."
About Thales
Thales is a leading international electronics and systems group, addressing Aerospace and Space, Defence and Security markets worldwide. The Group's civil and military businesses develop in parallel and share a common base of technologies to serve a single objective: the security of people, property and nations. Thales's leading-edge technology is supported by 22,500 R&D engineers who offer a capability unmatched in Europe to develop and deploy field-proven mission-critical information systems. The Group builds its growth on its unique multidomestic strategy based on trusted partnerships with national customers and market players, while leveraging its global expertise to support local technology and industrial development. Thales employs 68,000 people in 50 countries with 2008 revenues of €12.7 billion (approximately AUD 22.1 billion).
Thales Australia is a trusted partner of the Australian Defence Force and is also present in commercial sectors ranging from air traffic management to security systems and services. Employing around 3,500 people in over 35 sites across the country, Thales Australia recorded revenues of more than AUD1 billion in 2008.
Press contacts
Libby Noble
Thales Australia
+61 (0)2 9562 3150
+61 (0)434 155 881
libby.noble@thalesgroup.com.au
Aude Colas des Francs
Thales, Land and Joint Systems
+33 (0)1 46 13 20 86
aude.colasdesfrancs@fr.thalesgroup.com
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