ADI scores first Bushmaster export order
The Netherlands Ministry of Defence has ordered 25 Bushmaster Infantry Mobility Vehicles (IMV) from ADI Ltd in a contract worth an estimated $25.6 million. The vehicles will be used by Netherlands troops deployed to Afghanistan and were scheduled to depart Australia at the end of August. This is the first export order for Bushmaster.
The Australian Army has operated Bushmasters in Afghanistan and Iraq since early last year and has ordered 299 vehicles, in several variants, from ADI under a prime contract worth $219 million. The Bushmaster is a wheeled, armoured troop carrier designed to carry a squad of 10 soldiers and all their combat equipment for several days, both on main roads and across country. It is roomy and air conditioned in order to keep the troops fresh for combat operations when they eventually deploy on foot.
This is the first export order for the Bushmaster, which has attracted considerable attention from US and other coalition partners in Iraq due to its levels of protection and crew comfort.
To meet the Netherlands' tight schedule ADI will supply the vehicles from stock already manufactured for the Australian Army and will build extra Bushmasters to replace that stock.
The Dutch Bushmasters will also be equipped with the SOTAS M2 multi-media communication system, supplied by Thales Land & Joint Systems in the Netherlands. And Thales will supply 12 SWARM remote control weapon systems for the vehicles. These systems have been integrated into the Bushmaster by ADI at its Bendigo production site in Australia, midway between Sydney and Melbourne.
"Not only is this the first export sale of the Bushmaster, which is good news for future export prospects, these combat proven vehicles will be serving alongside Australian forces in Afghanistan," said Norman Gray, managing director of ADI and country director of Thales, which owns a 50 per cent stake in ADI Ltd, in a statement 4 August.
Logistics support for the Dutch Bushmasters in Afghanistan and subsequently in the Netherlands will be provided by US truck manufacturer Oshkosh, with whom ADI has a strategic partnership.
ADI's director of Land - Engineering and Vehicles, Bob Simpson, said 4 August the sale was only possible with the approval and support of the Australian Department of Defence. The Dutch had a very aggressive schedule for the project, and the proposal and negotiation period lasted only two weeks. The only way to meet their schedule was to supply vehicles from Australian Army stock.
An ADI source said the Dutch contract is small but significant as it puts the Bushmaster onto the European stage for the first time. It could also trigger other sales which would keep ADI's Bendigo production line running after current orders are satisfied next year.
The deal was sealed under the Dutch equivalent of a rapid acquisition, with the proposal and negotiation period lasting only two weeks. The contract was awarded to ADI on the basis of the specifications of the Bushmaster and on the company's ability to deliver the vehicles quickly from existing ADF stock.