The Royal Australian Navy Bay-class landing ship HMAS Choules (L100) has delivered 14 Bushmaster Protected Mobility Vehicles to Fiji as part of a month-long deployment in the South West Pacific, enhancing the Australian Defence Force’s engagement with Fiji and Tonga. The delivery of the Bushmaster Protected Mobility Vehicles and spare parts to Fiji by HMAS Choules will strengthen Fiji’s peacekeeping capability. Later in the deployment, Choules will represent Australia at the 50th anniversary of the Tonga Royal Navy and His Majesty King Tupou VI’s 65th birthday celebrations. The Australian Defence Force has a strong and enduring relationship with the Republic of Fiji Military Forces. After delivering the Bushmaster Protected Mobility Vehicles, Choules will embark the Republic of Fiji Navy band for transport to the Tonga Royal Navy’s 50th anniversary celebrations. HMAS Choules is expected to return to Australia in late July.
Chief of Joint Operations, Lieutenant General Greg Bilton said,“The Royal Australian Navy was a frequent visitor to the region and the deployment followed visits by ADV Reliant and HMAS Stuart earlier in the year. HMAS Choules is demonstrating its versatility by delivering 14 Bushmaster Protected Mobility Vehicles purchased by Fiji, to the Republic of Fiji Military Forces. Australia deeply values our close maritime security partnership with Tonga, which dates back to the 1980s. I know the crew of Choules is looking forward to taking part in this significant milestone for the Tonga Royal Navy. Celebrating the anniversary along with His Majesty’s birthday makes for a very special event.”
HMAS Choules (L100) is a Bay-class landing ship that served with the Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) from 2006 to 2011, before being purchased by the Royal Australian Navy (RAN). The vessel was built as RFA Largs Bay by Swan Hunter in Wallsend, Tyne and Wear. She was named after Largs Bay in Ayrshire, Scotland, and entered service in November 2006. The Bay-class ships have a full load displacement of 16,160 tonnes (15,900 long tons) in RFA service; this increased slightly to 16,190 tonnes (15,930 long tons) after modifications for RAN service. Choules is 579.4 feet (176.6 m) long, with a beam of 86.6 feet (26.4 m), and a draught of 19 feet (5.8 m). Propulsion power is provided by two Wärtsilä 8L26 generators, providing 6,000 horsepower (4.5 MW), and two Wärtsilä 12V26 generators, providing 9,000 horsepower (6.7 MW). Maximum speed is 18 knots (33 km/h; 21 mph), and the Bay-class ships can achieve a range of 8,000 nautical miles (15,000 km; 9,200 mi) at 15 knots (28 km/h; 17 mph.
The Bushmaster Protected Mobility Vehicle or Infantry Mobility Vehicle is an Australian-built four-wheel drive armoured vehicle. The Bushmaster was primarily designed by the then government-owned Australian Defence Industries (ADI), and is currently produced by Thales Australia following their acquisition of ADI. The Bushmaster is currently in service with the Australian Army, Royal Australian Air Force, Royal Netherlands Army, British Army, Japan Ground Self Defense Force, Indonesian Army, Fiji Infantry Regiment, Jamaica Defence Force, New Zealand Army and the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Transportation of infantry, incorporating full protection from small arms fire, was the primary role for which the Bushmaster was designed; infantry would dismount from the vehicle, before going into action. As it was lightly armoured, the term infantry mobility vehicle (IMV) was initially used, rather than armoured personnel carrier, to distinguish the Bushmaster from heavier wheeled and tracked APCs used by the Australian Army, such as the ASLAV and M113.
