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name=Bushmaster
The Bushmaster Infantry Mobility Vehicle is an Australian designed and built wheeled armoured vehicle produced by Australian Defence Industries Limited (ADI). The Bushmaster is designed for operations in northern Australia, and is capable of carrying 9 soldiers and their equipment, fuel and supplies for 3 days. ROLE The role of the Bushmaster is to provide armoured transport, with Infantry dismounting from the vehicle before going into action. As the Bushmaster is only lightly armoured and armed it should not be confused with an Armoured Personnel Carrier . In keeping with the vehicle's role and capabilities, the Australian Army designates Bushmaster equipped infantry units as being Motorised , and not Mechanised . VARIANTS
ADI is continuing to develop new Bushmaster variants. The unit price for the Bushmaster differs slightly between variants, ranging from A$ 562,878 for the troop carrier variant and A$ 589,182 for the ambulance variant. THE BUSHMASTER IN AUSTRALIAN SERVICE Following the vehicle's troubled development, a total of 299 Bushmasters are to be delivered to the Australian Defence Force (down from the 370 which were originally ordered). Bushmaster deliveries began in 2005 (three years later than was originally scheduled) and are scheduled to be complete in July 2007. Units to operate the Bushmaster The majority of the Bushmasters are to be allocated to the Army , though a small number will be operated by the Royal Australian Air Force 's Airfield Defence Guards . The Bushmaster will be operated by the following Army units:
The 9th Battalion, The Royal Queensland Regiment is no longer to receive these vehicles. The Bushmaster will also be operated by the following RAAF Airfield Defence units (each squadron will receive 6 Bushmasters in early 2006):
The Motorised Combat Wing of the Army's Combat Arms Training Centre will provide initial training to Army and Air Force Bushmaster drivers. Operational record near a bridge in Iraq]] To date, the Bushmaster has been deployed on three operations:
While an independent assessment of how well the Bushmaster has performed on these deployments is not yet available, Australian Department of Defence press releases and the Army's service newspaper have stated that the vehicles have proven successful. The Bushmaster's high degree of crew and passenger comfort has apparently been particularly appreciated in Iraq. EXPORTS ADI is currently aggressively marketing the Bushmaster for export. The Bushmaster has been trialed by the United Arab Emirates and exhibited in a number of trade exhibitions. The Bushmaster may also be offered to the United States and Iraq. To date, however, no export orders have been placed and the Bushmaster faces considerable competition from similar vehicles. REFERENCES
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