Australia delivers 15 Bushmaster PMVs to Indonesia for peacekeeping operations.

According to an article from Australian Defense on August 10, 2023, Indonesia received 15 Thales Bushmaster Protected Mobility Vehicles (PMV) from Australia. These vehicles are intended to enhance the Indonesian peacekeeping capabilities under the United Nations Peacekeeping Operations.
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Australia delivers 15 Bushmaster PMVs to Indonesia for UN peacekeeping operations (Picture source Australian Defence)

Despite the formal offer extended in 2021, the agreement was only ratified in April of this year, due to administrative procedures within Indonesia. Subsequent progress has been steady, with training and delivery reaching completion.

Indonesian military personnel participated in a training program hosted in Darwin in July 2023, as reported by the Army Recognition editorial team. The program, held in collaboration with the 5th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment, aimed to prepare Indonesian soldiers with the necessary skills to proficiently operate and maintain the Bushmaster vehicles. Notably, participants were selected based on technical expertise, and the training covered maintenance and operational aspects with the assistance of Bahasa Indonesia interpreters.

Indonesia stands as the seventh-largest contributor of personnel to UN missions globally, highlighting its commitment to international peacekeeping efforts. The country has deployed more than 2,500 military and police personnel across eight missions worldwide. These missions include assignments in conflict zones in Central Africa and the Middle East.

The Bushmaster vehicles have demonstrated effectiveness in missions with a heightened risk of ambushes, improvised explosive devices (IEDs), and landmines, which align with the threats encountered in areas where the TNI conducts peacekeeping operations, Major Breckenridge mentioned.

The Bushmaster, introduced in 1997, has seen service in diverse conflicts, including engagements in Afghanistan, Iraq, northern Mali, the Golan Heights, Iraq again, Syria, and most recently, during the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Known for its monocoque hull design providing protection against IEDs and mines, the Bushmaster surpasses STANAG 4569 ballistic standards at level 1 and can optionally reach level 3 ballistic protection. The vehicle's versatility is apparent in configurations such as troop transport, command, ambulance, IED countermeasures, and utility versions.

Powered by a turbocharged 7.2-liter diesel engine generating 300 hp, the Bushmaster offers a ground clearance of 1,34 m at the front, 1,95 m at the rear, an approach angle of 40 degrees, a departure angle of 38 degrees, and a fording capability of 1,2 m. With a range of 800 km and a maximum speed of 100 km/h, the vehicle provides essential mobility for troops in battlefield scenarios.