Next stage for Hawkei Army Vehicle

Australian Ministry of Defence has allocated U.S. $ 38 million for the next phase of development of light patrol car Hawkei LPMV Thales. For this amount the manufacturer provides six prototypes.

Hawkei is a new, lightweight patrol car for 4 soldiers with an unladen weight of about 7 tonnes and a maximum combat weight of more than 10 tons of armor details were not disclosed. Yet we know that ballistic protection is better than at first by. STANAG 4569 (thus providing safety in case of fire the weakest rounds 7.62 mm). Definitely should be a higher level of protection in case of explosion of mines.

As part of a fleet modernization programs drive the Australian armed forces, in December last year, the Army chose - as the future, light patrol car - a car the Australian branch of Thales, Hawkei Light Protected Mobility Vehicle (see MAN-y and Thalesy for Australia ).


The choice was preceded by comparative tests with other structures, which occurred in January 2011 delivered two prototypes Hawkei.

Because of the need to refine the design and conduct of subsequent trials, the Australian Defence Ministry has decided to allocate U.S. $ 38 million to produce the next six prototypes. The first of these should be available to customers later this year. In the future, they should pass a series of tests, including the vulnerability of the service. The results will be used to make final corrections. Final decisions on whether the contract production vehicles are expected in 2015.

New lightweight patrol cars are made in factories in Bendingo. There also are being built larger Bushmastery. Unfortunately, the current plans of the Ministry of Defense assume that the latest serial vehicles of that type will be delivered in 2013. Because of the far later date Hawkei'ów start production, the Ministry shall consider making additional orders for old cars, to sustain the existence of the plant.