Thales Australia pays tribute to ‘Debbie’ Bushmaster crew

Thales Australia has honoured the crew of diggers who survived an IED attack on their Bushmaster in Afghanistan in 2012 as well as the Thales workers who build the trusted Bushmaster PMV. The crew’s vehicle ‘Debbie’ – which was formally known as Echo 21 Alpha – is set to become a focus in the new Anzac Hall at the AWM. Its crew’s inspiring story of survival will also now be immortalised at the Bendigo Bushmaster factory: Thales Australia renamed the robot ‘cell’ that makes the bushmaster in honour of their vehicle. A moving event in Bendigo provided a unique opportunity for the Debbie Bushmaster crew to meet and thank the skilled engineers, designers and technicians who build the Bushmaster fleet of vehicles that have saved countless lives including their own. It was also an opportunity for Thales staff to see the real-world impact of their efforts providing a tough, practical and life-saving capability to the ADF. The tribute to the vehicle and its occupants’ legacy and shared story of resilience and innovation comes ahead of a planned $3.3 million robot cell upgrade that will continue the evolution of the Bushmaster, which earned the trust of Australian troops in Middle Eastern conflicts as the only allied vehicle to prevent any passenger or driver deaths through IED attacks. Thales Australia has manufactured more than 1300 Bushmaster PMVs – most delivered to the Australian Defence Force – over the past 20 years. Though its DNA is undeniably Australian, the Bendigo-made Bushmaster is now in service with the armed forces of eight allied nations including the UK, New Zealand and the Netherlands. Jeff Connolly, CEO, Thales Australia and New Zealand, said: “We are immensely proud of the Bushmaster and the people who build it. To stand beside those whose lives were saved by this vehicle, and to witness the bond between our veterans and our workforce is special for all of us here at Thales Australia and is another reminder of the import purpose our work serves. The Bushmaster is more than a Protected Mobility Vehicle – it’s a symbol of Australian, and regional Australian, resilience and engineering knowledge, now being relied upon by our own Defence force and our global allies.” Dan Keighran at Thales Australia added: “Working at Thales has allowed me to meet a lot of the men and women who build the Protected Mobility Vehicle that protects our soldiers, and I’m delighted the Debbie crew and the Bushmaster builders will get to meet each other. The courage and resilience displayed by the Debbie crew is testament of the character exhibited by those who choose to serve our nation in uniform. As I reflect on my service, the Bushmaster was more than just a piece of equipment to be relied upon. It was a symbol that represented Australia. There are many uncertainties in war, but the ability of the Bushmaster to take a hit and protect our soldiers was never in doubt.” For Editorial Inquiries Contact: Editor Kym Bergmann at [email protected] For Advertising Inquiries Contact: Group Sales Director Simon Hadfield at [email protected]