More Dutch Bushmasters ordered

Thales Australia has received an order for 12 Bushmaster infantry mobility vehicles from the Netherlands Ministry of Defence, the company announced on 30 June.

The 12 Bushmasters, due to be delivered by the middle of 2016, will add to the 86 Dutch Bushmaster vehicles that were purchased between 2006-2009. The value of the new order has not been disclosed.

The ministry ordered troop carrier variants of the Bushmasters with additional composite armour, remote weapon stations and the company's SOTAS intercom system.

Chris Jenkins, CEO, Thales Australia, said: 'The Bushmaster has proven itself on operations with the Dutch military in Afghanistan, and is a vital component of their light brigade. This export order shows the army's continuing confidence in the Bushmaster and its ability to protect troops in theatre. The Bushmaster vehicle has repeatedly proven to safeguard personnel against mines and improvised explosive devices.'

The order comes after Bushmaster exports in the last 18 months to Jamaica and Japan and SOTAS exports to several countries.

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