Image: Thales Bushmaster vehicles
Australia’s combat-proven protected mobility vehicle heads to Europe under an urgent operational request
Thales will accelerate delivery of Bushmaster Protected Mobility Vehicles to the Netherlands Armed Forces, responding to an urgent operational request from the Dutch Ministry of Defence. The move underscores deepening defence ties between Australia and its European partners amid a rapidly evolving security landscape.
The Bushmaster, manufactured in Bendigo, Australia, is one of the country’s most prominent defence exports. It is currently in service with nine nations and has seen operational deployment across the Middle East, Europe, Africa, and the Pacific. The Netherlands order will be supplied in the latest vehicle configuration, featuring enhanced systems tailored to Royal Netherlands Army requirements.
Trilateral Cooperation Drives Accelerated Delivery
The fast-tracked programme involves close coordination between the Australian Army, the Australian Government, and Thales. Production and integration work will be conducted entirely in Australia, supporting domestic defence industry jobs and reinforcing the country’s standing as a reliable provider of advanced protected mobility systems.
Andrew Downes, Vice-President for Land at Thales Australia, said the order reflected the ability of government and industry to respond swiftly when allies require capability. “Working closely with the Commonwealth and the Australian Army, Thales is fast-tracking the delivery of combat-proven Bushmasters for Dutch forces,” he said, adding that the contract highlighted Australian skills and expertise across the broader national defence manufacturing pipeline.
Australia’s Defence Strategic Sales Office played a key role in progressing the export. The office works closely with domestic industry to promote priority defence capabilities internationally, with the Bushmaster identified as one of Australia’s flagship export platforms.
EU-Australia Defence Partnership in Focus
The contract carries broader strategic significance, reflecting the growing framework of the EU-Australia Security and Defence Partnership. The partnership aims to deepen coordination and interoperability between Australia and European Union member states. As European nations continue to reassess force readiness in response to shifting security conditions, demand for proven, rapidly deliverable protected mobility solutions has intensified.
The Bushmaster’s track record in high-threat environments makes it a well-regarded option for nations seeking to bolster ground force protection without lengthy procurement cycles. Dutch forces will benefit from a vehicle platform with an established operational pedigree across diverse and demanding theatres.
Domestic Investment Backs Export Push
The Netherlands delivery comes as Australia makes a significant domestic commitment to the platform. The Australian Government has allocated AUD $750 million to develop and deliver 268 next-generation Bushmaster PMVs for the Australian Army, according to Thales. That investment supports continued manufacturing capacity in Bendigo and positions Australia to meet both domestic and international demand.
Thales said it looks forward to supporting the full lifecycle of the Netherlands fleet, covering delivery, integration, and long-term sustainment. That commitment points to an enduring bilateral defence relationship rather than a one-off transaction.
Read more on Thales’ website
