Australian army has selected Thales 4x4 Hawkei protected vehicle to replace its fleet of Land Rover 10510151

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Defence & Security Industry News - Thales
 
Australian army has selected Thales 4x4 Hawkei protected vehicle to replace its fleet of Land Rover.
The Hawkei is set to become the latest addition to the Australian Defence Force fleet following the signing of a AUD 1.3 billion (about EUR 820 million) contract with the Commonwealth. The Hawkei PMV is a light 4 x 4 protected mobility vehicle originally designed 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 set to become the latest addition to the Australian Defence Force fleet following the signing of a AUD 1.3 billion (about EUR 820 million) contract with the Commonwealth. The Hawkei PMV is a light 4 x 4 protected mobility vehicle originally designed to meet an Australian Defence Force (ADF) requirement for a light armoured patrol vehicle to replace some of its Land Rover Perentie variants.
Thales Hawkei 4x4 light protected vehicle at Eurosatory 2014, defense exhibition in Paris, France.
     
The Hawkei is a development of several defense companies including Thales Australia, Boeing Australia, Plasan (Israel) and PAC Group.

Soldiers on operations will benefit from increased protection and mobility in a powerful 4x4 vehicle, which can be adapted for different missions.

Thales’s Hawkei follows the life-saving success of the larger Bushmaster vehicle, which has protected Australian and other troops in some of the most challenging combat environments on earth.

Patrice Caine, Chairman & CEO of Thales said: “This is a great day for the Australian Defence Force and for Australian industry. Hawkei is a highly capable vehicle that will serve Australia for many years to come, and we are delighted that the Australian Department of Defence has recognised the importance of this vehicle by reaching this milestone.

As we move into the manufacturing phase, we will now be able to consolidate the work already begun across the Thales group worldwide to ensure the export success of this impressive vehicle.”

The contract involves the delivery of 1,100 vehicles and over 1,000 trailers. The three and a half year production phase is scheduled to begin from mid-2017, with first deliveries expected towards the end of that year.
     
The Hawkei is set to become the latest addition to the Australian Defence Force fleet following the signing of a AUD 1.3 billion (about EUR 820 million) contract with the Commonwealth. The Hawkei PMV is a light 4 x 4 protected mobility vehicle originally designed to meet an Australian Defence Force (ADF) requirement for a light armoured patrol vehicle to replace some of its Land Rover Perentie variants.
Thales Hawkei 4x4 light protected vehicle in live demonstration at Eurosatory 2014, defense exhibition in Paris, France.
     
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. It incorporates high levels of blast and ballistic protection in a light, highly manoeuvrable and readily air transportable vehicle that has been engineered for peak performance.

The Thales Hawkei is a light wheeled protected vehicle buit by Thales on its significant experience with the Australian Bushmaster program to design this next generation vehicle. Drawing on both international and local expertise provided by Boeing, PAC Group or Plasan, and numerous Australian Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs), the vehicle’s design incorporates world-leading innovative technologies.