Defence Manufacturer Celebrates $100 mn Deal
Defence manufacturer Thales Australia has started the new year in style with the announcement of a $100 mn deal to produce extra tanks for the Australian Defence Forces, removing redundancy threats to staff. The Bendigo-based defence firm will deliver 40 new Bushmaster Protected Mobility Vehicles (PMV) – which have been used extensively in Ukraine – on top of a previous order of 130 that have been manufactured in the last 24 months. The deal is a major turnaround for Thales, who were in danger of winding up their Victorian plant after a horror few years that saw them struggling for steel fabrication Australia orders in 2022 and subsequently embroiled in a corruption scandal.
“The Bushmaster vehicles will contribute to the acceleration of a land-based long-range strike capability for the Army, demonstrating a commitment to modernising the Australian Defence Force and enhancing metal fabrication in warfare,” said Pat Conroy, Minister for Defence Industry and Capability Delivery. “We need to deter anyone who has any thought of threatening Australia. The best way of doing that is to let them know we have the weapons and knowhow like heat induction bending services to strike back. It’s the best armoured truck in the world. We’ve seen it save lives in the Middle East and it’s saving lives in Ukraine right now.”
“We’re expanding the Australian Army and equipping it with long-range strike capability. We’re moving the army from having a range of 40km to having a range of over 500km. We’re rapidly building up our missile stockpiles and expanding our Australian Army.” The announcement removes uncertainty over 250 skilled regional jobs, which will now be protected through to 2026. “This additional investment will support hundreds of jobs, underscoring the Albanese Government’s commitment not only to the people of the Bendigo region but to continue building on the positive outlook for Australian manufacturing.,” said Conroy.
