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Subject: Bushmaster Again....
Enterpriser    8/7/2008 11:03:58 AM
Dutch army lines up to buy more Bushmasters for combat Mark Dodd | August 08, 2008 THE Dutch army has made a $15million order for another 13 Australian-built mine resistant Bushmaster patrol vehicles amid growing international interest in the rugged battlefield taxi. Spain is also showing strong interest in the Bushmaster to fill a requirement for a high-mobility protected vehicle, according to Canberra-based defence sources. The Australian understands that growing defence links between the two countries have resulted in a recent decision to appoint defence attaches in Madrid and Canberra. The Dutch order brings to 73 the number of Bushmasters purchased by other nations, including 49 by The Netherlands, most of which are serving with combat units in Afghanistan. Featuring a blast-resistant V-shaped hull, the 12-tonne off-roaders capable of carrying nine fully equipped soldiers are earning a good reputation on the frontlines in both Iraq and Afghanistan. Of the 36 Bushmasters the Dutch have used, at least four have been destroyed or seriously damaged -- mostly the result of roadside bombs, the insurgent's weapon of choice. But no crew or passengers were killed as a result of the attacks. Defence Procurement Secretary Greg Combet told The Australian yesterday he was confident of further export orders for the vehicles, which have an average cost of about $800,000. "I have been promoting Australian defence industry capabilities during recent visits to the United Kingdom, Europe and the US," Mr Combet said. "At least one other European country is known to have a requirement for vehicles of the Bushmaster type and presents a potential market opportunity." In May, Britain's defence ministry ordered 24 Bushmasters, which are believed to be in operation in Iraq. The Australian Defence Force is by far the biggest Bushmaster user, with more than 700 ordered and vehicles currently deployed in Iraq and Afghanistan. They can be fitted with a variety of weapons, including light machine guns, a 40mm grenade launcher or a remotely operated 12.7mm heavy machine gun. Spanish interest in the Bushmaster comes after $11 billion in Australian defence orders for three yet-to-be-built air warfare destroyers and two amphibious assault ships, secured by Spain's state-owned Navantia.
 
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Volkodav       8/8/2008 10:41:54 PM
The Brits are apparently also looking at the Copperhead logistics variant of the Bushie.
 
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Arty Farty       8/9/2008 7:07:52 AM
Bushie's future looks bright in Europe. Also reports of some snags with LAND 121 that might make an opening for the Copperhead in Australia.
 
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Volkodav       8/9/2008 7:42:25 AM
The Bae truck failed IED testing..... you know anything else about it?
 
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Aussie Diggermark 2       8/9/2008 8:21:39 AM
The growing relationship between the Netherlands and Australia has resulted in an Australian Defence Attache being posted to Madrid?
 
Mark Dodd or at least his editors sure know their geography... :)

 
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Volkodav       8/9/2008 9:35:23 AM
Spain is also showing strong interest in the Bushmaster to fill a requirement for a high-mobility protected vehicle, according to Canberra-based defence sources.

The Australian understands that growing defence links between the two countries have resulted in a recent decision to appoint defence attaches in Madrid and Canberra.
 
All a case of context.
 
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Arty Farty       8/9/2008 8:47:34 PM
Here's what's happening with the French market: http://www.defensenews.com/osd_story.php?sh=VSDY&i=3587525
 

Panhard to Push Bushmaster to French Army

By andrew chuter
Published: 18 Jun 06:19 EDT (10:19 GMT)
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Panhard is set to lead a marketing push by Thales Australia to sell its Bushmaster family of armored vehicles to the French military.

The Australian arm of Thales announced June 17 that it had signed a memorandum of understanding for the French light armored vehicle builder to market the highly protected infantry vehicle family locally.

Initially, the agreement covers only marketing for a possible emerging French requirement but could be extended to cover other options such as through-life support, training, production and sales into other countries.

Thales Australia's managing director Chris Jenkins said the agreement "represented a significant step forward in future export sales of the Bushmaster family. Working with Panhard, we will be able to further improve the family of vehicles."

France has no specific program at this time for a highly protected Mine Resistant Ambush Protected type of infantry vehicle, although that may change in the next nine to 12 months if an urgent operational requirement emerges to equip forces deployed overseas.

A Bushmaster is due to be tested by the French army immediately after the Eurosatory exhibition.

Thales executives reckon that French forces could be interested in several variants of the Bushmaster family, including the new Copperhead armored truck, which debuted at the show here.

Australian and Dutch armed forces have already purchased the infantry carrier.

Around 25 have also recently been purchased by the British as an urgent operational requirement for use in Afghanistan.

The British declined to let Thales officials announce the order, even though Defense News reported the purchase two months ago.

In total, over 700 vehicles have been ordered, with around 470 Bushmasters of various types delivered to date.



 
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