Australia starts receiving Hawkei protected utility vehicles

The Thales Hawkei protected mobility vehicle of the Australian Army. Credits to original owner.

The Australian Army has started receiving the first batch of low-rate initial production (LRIP) of the Hawkei Protected Mobility Vehicle - Light (PMV-L), after overcoming reliability and design issues that delayed the production schedule.

The 1st Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment based in Townsville, Queensland is believed to be the first unit to receive the Hawkei PMV, after the unit confirmed on 24 March 2020 that it received at least five (5) vehicles to complement the Bushmaster Protected Military Vehicles – Medium (PMV-M) in the unit’s motorized component.

The vehicle was developed as part of the Australian Army’s LAND 121 Phase 4 project for Protected Mobility Vehicles – Light, which was intended to replace some of the service’s specialized, blast-protected Land Rover utility vehicles. 

Prime contractor for the Hawkei is Thales Australia, with Boeing Australia and Israeli armored vehicle manufacturer Plasan as part of the venture. 

The Australian Army ordered 1,100 vehicles including 1,058 accompanying trailers under a A$1.3 billion (US$975 million) contract signed in October 2015, and will be configured to meet requirements for command, liaison, utility, and reconnaissance missions.


[1] Jane’s Defence Weekly
[2] Defence Connect