BENDIGO-BUILT armoured vehicles will play key roles in military plans unveiled by a defence force staring down the barrel of an uncertain world. The Department of Defence's newly released structure plan fast-tracks sweeping changes as Australia tries to shape its own strategic environment, deter actions against Australia's interests and respond with credible military force when required.
"While the long-term impacts of the coronavirus pandemic are not yet clear, it has deeply altered the economic trajectory of the region and the world with implications for Australia's prosperity and security," the ADF said.
The wide-ranging plan includes a push to keep building Bushmaster troop movers and developing and testing smaller Hawkeis. Both are made at Thales Australia's Bendigo factory and the Australian Defence Force sees them as vital in case the nation needs to respond to a domestic crisis, or in the wider region on humanitarian missions or what it refers to as "stability operations"....MORE
