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Australian Defence Force takes delivery of first Hawkei 4x4 armoured vehicles from Thales Australia 12111163.
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Defence & Security News - Australia
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| Australian Defence Force takes delivery of first Hawkei 4x4 armoured vehicles from Thales Australia | |||
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Thales Australia has delivered the first two Hawkei 4x4 armoured vehicles to the Australian Defence Force (ADF). The delivery was witnessed by Australia's Minister for Defense Industry Christopher Pyne and the CEO of Thales Australia, Mister Chris Jenkins at Victoria Barracks, Melbourne on 14 November 2016.
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 Head of Land Systems Division Australian Army officer Major General David Coghlan; Nationals Senator for Victoria, Senator Bridget McKenzie; Minister for Defence Industry, the Honourable Christopher Pyne MP and CEO of Thales Australia, Mr Chris Jenkins (Left to Right) discuss the Hawkei vehicle at Victoria Barracks, Melbourne on 14 November 2016. |
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Under the contract, Thales Australia is required to produce 1,100 Hawkei vehicles and more than 1,000 companion trailers.
Australian Defence Industry Minister Christopher Pyne said: “Hawkei production will involve about 170 jobs in the Bendigo region. It’s expected approximately 60 additional jobs will be created in Thales’ supply chain to support the production of the Hawkei vehicle.
Full production of the Hawkei vehicles will begin in 2018, while delivery of the vehicles and trailers to the ADF will be completed by late 2021.
The Hawkei is a lightweight protected vehicle designed and developed to meet the requirements of the Australian Defence Force (ADF). The vehicle is manufactured by Thales Australia for the Department of Defence's Land 121 phase 4 programme that aims to replace the Australian Army's Land Rovers. Land 121 (Project Overlander) is a multi-phased project providing the Australian Defence Force (ADF) with current-generation, high-capability field vehicles, modules and trailers. It will acquire around 7500 protected and unprotected vehicles providing battlefield mobility, logistics support and tactical training. Land 121 Phase 4 will acquire 1100 Hawkei vehicles built in Thales Australia's Bendigo, Victoria factory and 1000 companion trailers. The Phase 4 fleet will provide a comparable level of protection to the Thales produced Bushmaster at around half the weight. This represents a new capability as it will be the only Australian protected vehicle capable of being transported by ADF helicopters. The 4x4, 6-crew, 7-tonne Hawkei provides unparalleled situational awareness, lethality and survivability for a vehicle its size. The Thales Hawkei is a mobile, versatile, and above all well-protected vehicle. |
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 Thales Australia 4x4 armoured vehicle Hawkei at Eurosatory defense exhibition in Paris, France. |
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