Australia deploys Hawkei to Middle East
Two Australian Army Hawkei protected mobility vehicles have been deployed into the Middle East region as part of a defence trial, the Australian Department of Defence announced on 13 January.
The vehicles have been sent to Iraq’s Taji Military Complex to test their sustainability and ability to deploy to and from an operational area. The vehicles will be employed by Australian soldiers within Task Group Taji Six throughout the trial.
The trial will inform army thinking on how the vehicles can be best deployed in operational environments and ensure the vehicle's readiness before the commencement of full production in 2019.
The Hawkei vehicle’s design and protective technology makes it capable of withstanding significant blast and ballistic threats.
Australia’s Minister for Defence Industry, Christopher Pyne, said: ‘Defence and Thales Australia have been working closely to develop this vehicle by conducting a rigorous design, test, and evaluation process, and both organisations should be proud of their work.
‘The Hawkei builds on Thales Australia’s international success with the Bushmaster vehicle, which is in service with seven countries.’
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Land Warfare
-
US Army orders TOW missiles from Raytheon under contracts totalling $676 million
The order from the US Army is made of two contracts with some of the weapon systems potentially destined for Ukraine and other set to resupply US stocks of missiles sent to Ukraine.
-
Rheinmetall to supply 81mm EIMOS mortar systems to Spain under $162 million deal
The 81mm EXPAL Integrated Mortar System (EIMOS) is a platform-based system which will be used by Spain’s army, navy and air force.
-
EOS looks to improve CUAS capability as further development and deployment continue
EOS Defense Systems remote weapon stations (RWS) have been in service in Ukraine. The company has seen users deploy it for CUAS roles in a war where drones have been heavily used.
-
Textron to make improvements to Ripsaw M5 and M3 UGVs
The company has been partnering with several suppliers to enhance the autonomy of its platforms.