Dutch Army plans Bushmaster fleet upgrade
Bushmaster was first acquired by the Netherlands in 2006 (Photo: Dutch MoD)
The Dutch Army plans on a MLU to upgrade 102 Bushmasters. The platforms will feature reversing cameras, increased payload capacity, an upgraded onboard weapon station and an extra layer of armour.
In order to maintain ground troop mobility, the Dutch Army intends to introduce an MLU of its Bushmaster fleet, and upgrade the 102 in-service vehicles by 2027. The MoD expects to start operating the first improved platforms in early 2024.
A press release from the Dutch MoD, released on 14 December, stated that the service plans on awarding a contract for the modernisation process to Thales Australia, the Bushmaster's OEM.
New vehicle features are to include a reversing camera, better coupling for transmission and command systems, and an increased payload capacity.
The onboard weapon station will also be upgraded, enabling it to face current and future threats, and parts of the platform's armour will receive an extra layer to better protect soldiers.
These vehicles were first acquired by the Netherlands in 2006 with an expected lifespan of about 30 years. They have been used extensively during missions in Afghanistan and Mali.
Shephard Defence Insight notes that the Bushmaster was developed in 1995-99 to meet the Australian Army’s need for an Infantry Mobility Vehicle (later changed to Protected Mobility Vehicle) with high levels of protection, sustained speed, tactical mobility, endurance, ergonomics and situational awareness.
Apart from the Netherlands and Australia, the Bushmaster is also in service with Fiji, Indonesia, Jamaica, Japan, New Zealand and the UK.
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Land Warfare
-
![Australian Army advances with the implementation of countermining training]()
Australian Army advances with the implementation of countermining training
The branch entered this year in the second phase of the deployment of the FLAIM Sweeper system.
-
![Need more flexibility in battle management system delivery?]()
Need more flexibility in battle management system delivery?
Systematic’s newest solution, SitaWare BattleCloud, brings greater flexibility to combat information systems and C4ISR.
-
![QinetiQ awarded contract for further work on lasers, future systems and energy weapons]()
QinetiQ awarded contract for further work on lasers, future systems and energy weapons
Notable projects under the Weapons Sector Research Framework (WSRF) contract include the British Army determining the impact of a vehicle-mounted laser weapon on drones and testing a vehicle-mounted Radio Frequency Directed Energy Weapon (RFDEW).
-
![Beretta discloses details of its proposal for the British Army’s Project Grayburn]()
Beretta discloses details of its proposal for the British Army’s Project Grayburn
The company is offering weapons and accessories produced by itself and by other Beretta Holding subsidiaries.
