Twenty Bushmaster Protected Mobility Vehicles, including two ambulance variants, are headed to Ukraine to aid the Ukrainian government’s response to “Russia’s unrelenting and illegal aggression”, the Australian Government announced this morning.
In a joint statement, Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Defence Minister Peter Dutton said Australia’s response follows a direct request from President Zelenskyy during his address to the Australian Parliament on 31 March.
They said the Bushmaster was built in Australia to provide protected mobility transport, safely moving soldiers to a battle area prior to dismounting for close combat. The Bushmaster is well suited to provide protection to the Ukrainian Armed Forces soldiers and Ukrainian civilians against mines and improvised explosive devices, shrapnel from artillery and small arms fire.
According to the statement, the 20 vehicles are painted olive green to suit the operating environment.
Additionally, a Ukrainian flag is painted on either side with the words “United with Ukraine” stencilled in English and Ukrainian to acknowledge our commitment and support to the Government and people of Ukraine. The ambulances will have the traditional Red Cross emblem.
The Bushmaster will be fitted with radios, a global positioning system and additional bolt-on armour increasing their protection. Defence will continue to work with the Government of Ukraine to develop a suitable logistics support package, while training will be conducted through Army video training with Ukrainian subtitles, the statement continued.
To date, Australia has committed a total of around $116 million of Defensive Military Assistance to Ukraine, the addition of these vehicles takes our commitment to around $165 million. In addition, Australia is delivering 70,000 tonnes of coal to power Ukraine’s resistance, on top of $65 million in humanitarian assistance for the people of Ukraine, with a focus on protecting women, children and the elderly, including for food, shelter and emergency medical supplies.
“The Government will not disclose further specific details of delivery arrangements at the direct request of Ukrainian officials and our other partners,” the statement said.
“The Australian Government will continue to identify opportunities for further Defensive Military Assistance where it is able to provide a required capability to the Ukraine Armed Forces expeditiously.
“Australia stands with the Government and people of Ukraine, and calls on Russia to cease its unprovoked, unjust and illegal invasion of Ukraine. The Australian Government will continue to take steps, together with our partners, to ensure Russia pays the highest possible price for its actions<” the statement concluded.
Also read:
Exclusive: Meet new Ukraine Ambassador Vasyl Myroshnychenko
Get all the latest Canberra news, sport, entertainment, lifestyle, competitions and more delivered straight to your inbox with the Canberra Daily Daily Newsletter. Sign up here.
