Bushmasters in Ukraine
This is a Bushmaster Protected Mobility Vehicle.
It is a 15-tonne, 4x4 protected vehicle with a 4-tonne payload, designed in Australia, made in Bendigo Victoria and used all around the world. It has an operational range of 800 kilometres with a maximum speed of over 100 kilometres per hour. This means they can carry fuel and supplies to operate for three days without re-supply
And it packs a punch with a gun ring for 5.56-millimetre and 7.62-millimetre machine guns it can provide dynamic battlefield support.
The Australian, British, Dutch, Japanese, Indonesian and Ukrainian armies have all chosen it as their troop carrier of choice.
It’s safety features are some of it’s best qualities. In areas where the Russians have laid minefields the Bushmaster uses an armoured V-shaped hull to protect its passengers from landmines and other explosive devices. The sloped sides on the bottom of the hull act to deflect blast upward away from the vehicle.
The outer shell of the Bushmaster is a welded one-piece that is well-equipped to protect troops against all small arms fire. Further, the fuel and hydraulic tanks are positioned on the outside of the crew's compartment to protect troops from possible fires. And unlike the Russian BTR – the Bushmaster is even air conditioned to maintain troop morale.
Bushmaster’s only take about 3 days to master making them the perfect vehicle to be used by foreign armies. They are easier to maintain than other comparable armoured troop carriers – increasing vehicle reliability.
All Bushmaster’s come complete with run flat tyre inserts and a central tyre inflation system allowing them to continue travelling with punctures. This makes them the ideal vehicle for the rough terrain of the Eastern European Tundra.
That’s why we’ve trusted the Bushmaster to keep our Australians safe on the frontlines of Iraq and Afghanistan, and the Ukrainian troops trust it just as much as our Australian troops do.
This war will be won by technology. The Australian Bushmaster is far superior to the Soviet-era BTR vehicles that the Ukrainians are up against. Fundamentally, the Ukrainian people need more NATO equipment if they are to repel the Russian aggressors.
We’ve sent Ukraine 20 Bushmasters and their combat potential has been fully realised.
Right now, Australia has more than 1,000 Bushmasters and according to Retired Australian Army Lieutenant General Peter Leahy, has said we have more than we need.
To quote former Australian Army Major General Mick Ryan AM
“They've saved Australian lives, they would do the same for the Ukrainians"
When I return to Parliament, I will be calling on the Government to provide the Ukrainian Army with more Bushmasters.
One Ukrainian solider, Private Andriy Borys told me an important story. When one of their Bushmaster’s were destroyed, the troop carrier saved every life onboard.
And I was reminded, the greatest weapon against the Russians wasn’t behind me – they were beside me.
Australia stands with Ukraine – Slava Ukraini.
