Indonesia to receive Bushmaster MRAPs as donation, improves defense cooperation with Australia

 

The Bushmaster 4x4 Protected Mobility Vehicle built by Thales Australia. Photo c/o Wikipedia.

The Australian Government has committed to donate 15 Thales Australia Bushmaster 4x4 Protected Mobility Vehicles to the Indonesian Government.

These vehicles, considered as Mine Resistant, Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicles and made in Australia, will be used by the Indonesian Army (TNI-AD) for United Nations Peacekeeping missions.

This commitment was made by Australian Defence Minister Peter Dutton during the Australia-Indonesia 2+2 Meeting between the two country’s Foreign Affairs and Defence ministries held in Jakarta on 09 September 2021.

According to Min. Dutton, the Bushmaster vehicles can protect personnel from the threat of bomb explosions and firearms attack.

Indonesian Defence Minister Prabowo Subianto also expressed his interest to discuss the possibility of procuring more Bushmaster armored vehicles in the future.

The TNI-AD currently operates a handful of Bushmaster armored vehicles, which are used by its Special Operations Command (KOPASSUS).

Aside from Australia and Indonesia, the Bushmaster PMV is also used by The Netherlands, Japan, Fiji, New Zealand, Jamaica, and the United Kingdom.

Australian and Dutch Bushmaster vehicles have been used in Afghanistan and has been proven to provide protection to its crew and passengers, after being involved in ambushes and attacks from Taliban forces in numerous occassions.

In addition, Indonesian company PT Pindad and Thales Australia has jointly developed a new armored vehicle based on the Bushmaster called the Sanca, and was ordered by the TNI-AD for deployment with UN peacekeeping units and KOPASSUS.

Also discussed during the 2+2 Meeting were on plans to improving military training commitments with Indonesia including potentially having Indonesian troops train on Australian soil, issues related to countering terrorism and violent extremism, working together on cyber issues, and assisting the economic and social development of Pacific island nations.




[1] The Guardian
[2] ABC News
[3] Anadolu Agency