India keen to test-drive Australia’s Bushmaster PMVs

The Australian ^ | SEPTEMBER 4, 2015 | Amanda Hodge

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Australia will send technical details to India as early as next week on the indigenous Bushmaster armoured protection vehicle — or protected mobility vehicle — after the country’s most senior defence officials expressed interest in using them to police India’s restive borders.

A defence procurement contract for the Australian-made armoured vehicle, which has an unblemished record of no casualties in a decade of use in the ­Afghan battle theatre, would be a significant export for Australia as it builds its trade and defence relationship with India.

Defence Minister Kevin Andrews, at the end of a three-day visit to India, said keen interest in the Bushmaster had been raised in discussions with Indian Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar and in separate meetings with National Security Adviser Ajit Doval and Home Minister Rajnath Singh.

“(Mr Doval) said he would like someone to have a look at it next week. What he was interested in was the fact that in 10 years we have not had a casualty, whereas I understand there have been lots of casualties here,” Mr Andrews told The Australian yesterday.

“We will get them details about the vehicle … and if they’re interested in coming to Australia, or (want us) to send the relevant experts to India to look at whether it would be suitable for conditions here, that would be the next step.

“It could be a good export if it is suitable and a good practical step (towards closer defence materiel ties).”

India’s land frontier stretches more than 15,000km, most of it bordering countries — Pakistan, China, Bangladesh and Myanmar — that pose national security, territorial or migration threats to the emerging Asia powerhouse.

Mr Andrews said India was also keen to increase regional maritime aircraft surveillance co-operation, a tie-up that could e

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Australian Army Bushmaster protected mobility vehicles have an unblemished record of no casualties in a decade of use in the ­Afghan battle theatre. Picture: Defence Media

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[IndianChief]

For use at external borders or for internal insurgency ? If this vehicle can handle IED and landmines without damage to the occupants, it could be very useful indeed.