What Is the Bushmaster? Thales’s Australian-Built Mine-Resistant Vehicle
The Bushmaster is a protected mobility vehicle (MRAP) that Thales builds in Australia, designed to withstand mines and improvised explosive devices. Its V-shaped armoured hull deflects the energy of a blast from below, and the vehicle was developed to carry an infantry section safely. It serves in the inventories of more than ten nations, from Australia and Japan to the Netherlands and Ukraine.
What Is the Bushmaster?
The Bushmaster is not a combat vehicle but a “protected carrier” — its job is not to fight the enemy but to move soldiers from one point to another with protection against explosive threats. At its heart is the V-shaped hull design that deflects the blast wave of mines and roadside bombs (IEDs) outward. Thales builds it at its Protected Vehicle Centre of Excellence in Bendigo, Victoria, making it one of the best-known export products of Australia’s defence industry.
Technical Specifications
| Feature | Value |
|---|---|
| System type | Protected mobility vehicle / mine-resistant (MRAP) |
| Manufacturer | Thales (Bendigo, Australia) |
| Engine | Caterpillar 3126E turbo-diesel, 300 hp |
| Top speed | 100 km/h |
| Range | Over 800 km |
| Weight | ~12 tonnes |
| Capacity | 9-man infantry section + 1 (10 total) |
| Protection | V-hull (mine/IED), small-arms protection up to 7.62 mm |
Mission Profile and Significance
The Bushmaster’s real value was proved in an era when roadside bombs became the leading cause of death in conflict zones such as Afghanistan and Iraq. Though not as heavily armoured as a tank, its V-hull dramatically improves crew survivability against blasts from below. Its range of more than 800 km and 100 km/h speed make it well suited to long-distance patrol and troop transport. The vehicle has also been used in the war in Ukraine under Western aid, standing out for its reliability in the field.
Operators
The Bushmaster serves with the Australian Army and Air Force, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, Japan, Indonesia, New Zealand, Fiji, Jamaica and the armed forces of Ukraine. In April 2026 the Australian government announced an order worth around A$750 million for 268 “next-generation” Bushmasters.
Competitors and Türkiye
The Bushmaster’s rivals include various U.S. MRAPs, South Africa’s RG series and European protected carriers. For Türkiye, this class is one of the country’s strongest fields: mine-resistant vehicles such as BMC’s Kirpi, Nurol Makina’s Ejder Yalçın and Otokar’s Ural/Cobra II are both used heavily by the Turkish Armed Forces and exported worldwide. The Kirpi family is a battle-proven Turkish alternative that shares the Bushmaster’s mission philosophy.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What does the Bushmaster do? It is a protected mobility vehicle that carries soldiers with protection against mines and explosive threats.
- Where is it built? In Bendigo, Australia, at Thales’s Protected Vehicle Centre of Excellence.
- How many soldiers does it carry? A nine-man infantry section plus one (ten total).
- Was it used in Ukraine? Yes; it served with Ukraine’s armed forces under Western aid.
- Is there a Turkish alternative? Yes; BMC Kirpi, Nurol Ejder Yalçın and Otokar vehicles are strong indigenous options in the same class.
