Thales will expedite the delivery of a fleet of Bushmaster Protected Mobility Vehicles to the Netherlands, strengthening the ability of Dutch forces to operate in the contemporary threat environment. The accelerated effort will see the Australian Army work with Thales to fast-track the production and delivery of the vehicles to respond to the rapidly growing threats posed by modern warfare. Bushmaster vehicles will be supplied in the latest configuration with enhanced systems and features to meet the needs of the Royal Netherlands Army. They are recognised for protecting soldiers in high-risk environments. The Australian Government’s Defence Strategic Sales Office has provided important support in progressing the export opportunity. The office works closely with Australian industry to promote key defence capabilities globally, with the Bushmaster Protected Mobility Vehicle identified as one of Australia’s priority defence exports.
Production and integration work will be conducted in Australia, supporting local jobs and reinforcing the country’s role as a trusted provider of advanced protected mobility systems. This order exemplifies the strengthening cooperation between Australia and European Union member states under the EU-Australia Security and Defence Partnership (SDP). The partnership fosters deeper coordination and improved interoperability among allies to meet contemporary security challenges, reinforcing Australia’s commitment to trusted security partners in Europe. Thales looks forward to building on its strong relationship with the Netherlands and to supporting the delivery, integration and sustainment of this latest Bushmaster fleet. The announcement comes as the Australian Government invests AUD$750 million to develop and deliver an additional 268 next generation Bushmaster PMVs for the Australian army.
Andrew Downes, Vice-President, Land, Thales Australia declared: “The Bushmaster is one of Australia’s most trusted defence exports, and this collaboration demonstrates how government and industry can work together to move quickly when our partners need capability. Working closely with the Commonwealth and the Australian Army, Thales is fast-tracking the delivery of combat proven Bushmasters for Dutch forces. This order is testament to the Australian skills and expertise, not only in Bendigo but in the broader Australian pipeline that help to manufacture this world class vehicle.”
Thales (Euronext Paris: HO) is a global leader in advanced technologies for the Defence, Aerospace, and Cyber & Digital sectors. Its portfolio of innovative products and services helps address several major challenges: sovereignty, security, sustainability and inclusion. The Group allocates €4.5 billion per year in Research & Development in key areas, particularly for critical environments, such as Artificial Intelligence, Cybersecurity, Quantum and Cloud technologies. Thales has more than 85,000 employees in 65 countries. In 2025, the Group generated sales of €22.1 billion. Thales in Australia is an Australian-run company like no other with enduring and unique national security, defence, tech, cyber and manufacturing capabilities that make Australia more secure and allow Thales to be the trusted partner of the nation – focused on supporting Australia’s role in the AUKUS partnership. As a trusted partner of the Australian Defence Force in the Land, Sea and Air environment, Thales Australia employs over 4,300 people in Australia at 35 sites, and supports over 2,000 jobs along its Australian supply chain.
