According to the DefenceConnect website, this week, Japan has take delivery of four additional wheeled armoured vehicle Bushmaster manufactured by Thales Australia. With effective operational deployment across Afghanistan and Iraq, the Bushmaster has proven its effectiveness across urban landscapes as well as mountainous regions, making it uniquely suited to Japan’s geographic and urban environments.

JGSDF (Japan Ground Self-Defence) Bushmaster Protected Mobility Vehicle. (Picture source Wikipedia)

In April 2014, the Japanese Ministry of Defence has ordered a first batch of 4 Bushmaster 4x4 armoured vehicles for deployment with the Japan Ground Self-Defence Force (JGSDF). In January 2018, Australia and Japan has announced the possibility to purchase four additionnal Bushmaster armoured vehicles.

The development of the Bushmaster armoured was started in the mid-1990s to meet the Australian Army requirement for a new wheeled infantry armored vehicle. By early 1998, a prototype Bushmaster vehicle had undergone exhaustive field tests program and inn June 1999 the Australian Department of Defence has ordered a first batch of 370 Bushmaster armoured in APC (Armoured Personnel Carrier) variant.

Thales Australia has already sold around 1,000 armoured vehicles which are in services with Australia, the Netherlands, UK, Japan, Jamaica, Indonesia, Fiji and New Zealand.

The design of the Bushmaster is standard for a modern wheeled combat vehicle with engine at the front, crew cabin in the middle and troops compartment at the rear. The driver and commander are seated at the front with large bulletproof windows to their front and sides. The Bushmaster carries a total of 10 fully equipped infantrymen.

The monocoque hull of the Bushmaster is of all-welded steel armour construction, which provides ballistic and mine protection against small arms 5.56 and 7.62 mm caliber and explosion blast of up to 9.5 kg of TNT.