The Bushmaster protected mobility vehicle remains one of Australia’s strongest Defence exports with continuing international interest in its capability.
Bushmaster manufacturer Thales Australia unveiled the next generation of the vehicle at the Eurosatory 2026 trade show in Paris last month, marking a significant evolution of the combat-proven platform.
The new variant, known as the Bushmaster 5.6, or ‘Mulga’ utility model, was officially revealed by the Thales vice-president of vehicles and tactical systems in France, Julien Assoun, during a ceremony at the Team Defence Australia stand.
Defence’s Head of Land Systems, Major General Jason Blain, said interest in the Bushmaster from allies and partners continued to grow.
“The Bushmaster has been an integral part of the ADF for around 20 years and it has saved the lives of many Australians who have deployed on operations using our vehicle,” Major General Blain said.
“My own experience commanding a Bushmaster battalion, particularly during operations in Afghanistan, showed just how critical and important the Bushmaster capability is.
“Not one Australian has died in a Bushmaster on operations, and that is clearly testament to its design, manufacturing and also testament to Australian Defence industry and ingenuity.”
It has been effective assisting Ukraine in its war against Russia, and the Australian Government recently announced the export of further Bushmaster vehicles to the Netherlands.
“There’s no wonder that there is strong interest in the Bushmaster and we want to ensure our allies and partners actually see this vehicle and the opportunity it provides for their own military and soldiers to utilise,” Major General Blain said.
“Providing that capability to our allies is something we see as a real opportunity to strengthen their own protected mobility.”
