Ukrainian officials are asking the Australian government to supply Hawkei armored vehicles made by Thales Australia and in service with the Australian army. Having previously sought additional Thales Bushmasters, they are now appealing for a fleet of Hawkeis.
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Australian Army Hawkei Protected Mobility Vehicle during Land Trial 02-18 at the Townsville Field Training Area in North Queensland (Picture source: Australian DoD)
The Hawkei is an Australian 4x4 protected mobility vehicle. Originally designed in 2010 to meet an Australian Defence Force (ADF) requirement for a light armoured patrol vehicle to replace some of its Land Rover Perentie variants. The Hawkei is a highly mobile, highly protected, 7-tonne vehicle, with inbuilt systems to allow it to be used as a fighting platform. It has been developed with Vehicle Electronic Architecture to be mission system ready. It is intended to undertake a range of mission profiles, including troop movement, command and control, electronic warfare, liaison, surveillance and reconnaissance. Prime contractors include: Thales Australia, Boeing Australia, Plasan (Israel) and PAC Group. In October 2015, the Australian Government announced the purchase of 1,100 Hawkei vehicles and more than 1,000 companion trailers from Thales Australia.
The Hawkei has a maximum speed of 110 km/h and can travel up to 1,000 km without refueling. It has a gross vehicle weight of 9,000 kg and can carry a payload of up to 3,500 kg. The vehicle has a length of 5.4 meters, a width of 2.2 meters, and a height of 2.1 meters. It is equipped with a highly advanced suspension system that provides exceptional off-road mobility, allowing the vehicle to traverse difficult terrain with ease. It has a ground clearance of 350 mm and can climb steep slopes up to 60%.
The vehicle is also equipped with advanced armor protection, which includes a monocoque V-shaped hull, blast seats, and a spall liner to protect against IEDs and other explosive threats. The vehicle can withstand small arms fire, fragmentation grenades, and land mines.
The Hawkei is powered by a 3.2-liter, six-cylinder turbo diesel engine that produces 220 horsepower and 725 Nm of torque. It is equipped with a six-speed automatic transmission and has a two-speed transfer case for high and low-range off-road capability.
The vehicle is equipped with advanced communication and situational awareness systems, including a tactical electronic architecture, GPS, and a battlefield management system. It can be configured with a variety of mission-specific equipment, including weapon systems, surveillance and reconnaissance systems, and medical and logistics equipment.
Defense News April 2023
