Thales preparing for full-rate production of Hawkei vehicles at Bendigo site

The Thales Protected Vehicles facility in Bendigo is preparing for full rate production of the Hawkei, with a total of 1,100 vehicles and 1,058 associated trailers to be delivered to the federal government.

Full-rate production of 50 vehicles per month under the LAND 121 Phase 4 program was expected to continue until mid-2022, said Victorian senator Sarah Henderson. Delivery of the first vehicles made under FRP is scheduled for mid-next year.

Around 200 jobs are involved in production of the vehicles at the regional Victorian site, with 18 of 25 key suppliers located in the state. About 180 jobs are involved in the supply chain.  

“The manufacture and ongoing support of the Hawkei vehicle creates significant long-term opportunities for Australian industry, including potential export opportunities, as we have seen with the Bushmaster vehicles,” said defence industry minister Melissa Price.

Picture: Thales

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