Minister for Defence Materiel Jason Clare today announced that Bushmaster vehicles in Afghanistan have been upgraded to provide soldiers with better protection against Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs).
The upgrade was completed in Afghanistan in August 2011.
Upgrades to the vehicles include the installation of new seating and flooring in the cabin to provide additional protection for commanders, drivers and the troops being transported.
“The upgrades will help protect troops travelling in the vehicle by absorbing more of the blast impact,” Mr Clare said.
“Bushmasters are a great Australian success story. They are creating jobs in Australia and saving lives in Afghanistan.
“We are constantly looking for ways to make them even safer.
“The threat of roadside bombs is always present and always changing. That’s why we have to be always working to improve the protection we give our troops in Afghanistan.”
Expert Defence and industry engineers from Thales and Stratos Seating developed the upgrades based on data from damaged Bushmaster vehicles hit by improvised explosive devices in Afghanistan and blast trials conducted in Australia.
In May the Government also announced that it would purchase an additional 101 Bushmasters to support current and future Australian operations.