Defence pulls off export coup with Bushmaster sales to Japan
In the midst of bad news on the manufacturing front, Australia’s defence industry has pulled off a coup with the sale of 10 locally made Bushmaster armoured vehicles to Japan.
The deal is worth about $10million.
The Bushmaster, built in Bendigo by Thales, has been a dramatic success story for Australian designers.
Hundreds have been used by Australian troops in Afghanistan and while 50 have been badly damaged by the improvised bombs that are the main killers of coalition troops and civilians in the conflict, none of those aboard the Bushmasters have died in the blasts.
Bushmasters have also been sold to the United Kingdom for use by British special forces.
