As battlefields become more connected and threats such as drones become ubiquitous, military vehicles need to be capable of meeting multiple mission needs, including detecting threats, sharing information, supporting autonomous systems and integrating new technologies quickly. The Bushmaster 5.6 has been developed to fulfil this role, rapidly evolving into a highly connected sensor and effector platform ready for the demands of modern and future warfare, by adding powerful offensive capabilities to its traditional defensive role, such as Thales laser guided rockets, for example. With this upgrade, the Bushmaster family will combine its combat-proven protected mobility and agility with offensive capability against new threats. The Bushmaster, produced in Bendigo, Victoria (Australia), continues to evolve to best serve the needs of its crews and operators, incorporating new front-door access, improved vehicle entry, digital displays and advanced vehicle monitoring systems so to improve usability, sustainment and support in the field.it has been successfully deployed and trusted by armed forces around the world and continues to evolve through ongoing innovation, integration of operational lessons and customer collaboration.
“The Bushmaster has built a global reputation for protection, mobility and reliability – this next-generation vehicle demonstrates how the platform continues to evolve in response to changing threats, emerging technologies and customer needs. Already a trusted defender, the Bushmaster 5.6 has been designed to provide greater flexibility for modern missions, particularly in areas like counter drone operations, sensing, communications and electronic warfare,” says Julien Assoun, Vice-President Vehicles and Tactical Systems.
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 its 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.
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 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. As a trusted partner of the Australian Defence Force in the Land, Sea and Air environment, Thales Australia employs over 4,500 people in Australia at 35 sites, and supports over 2,000 jobs along its Australian supply chain.
