The Australian vehicle that redefined infantry mobility and protection

Countries & Cities · Published 12 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Designed to protect soldiers from small arms and IEDs, the Bushmaster has become a global standard. Originally an infantry mobility vehicle, its high-hardness steel hull proved superior to lighter aluminium alternatives, leading to its redesignation as a Protected Mobility Vehicle used by armies from the UK to Ukraine.

The Bushmaster's journey began with the 1991 Defence Force Structure Review, which identified a critical need for an Infantry Mobility Vehicle (IMV). Following the 1994 White Paper, Project Bushranger (Land 116) was established to procure new land force vehicles. The development process was competitive; by January 1997, only the Bushmaster and the South African-derived Taipan remained in contention. After a 44-week evaluation trial in 1998, where neither vehicle fully met all specification requirements, the Australian government-owned Australian Defence Industries (ADI) was awarded the contract in March 1999.

The vehicle's design is a hybrid of international engineering. A prototype produced by Perry Engineering in 1996 utilized an Irish-designed Timoney Technologies MP44 chassis with Rockwell/Timoney independent suspension, and integrated US-sourced Stewart & Stevenson components. These components—including the engine, transmission, and steering—accounted for over 65% of the prototype. The Bushmaster is optimized for northern Australian operations, capable of carrying nine soldiers and providing an operational range of 800 km at a road cruise speed of 100 km/h.

Safety and survivability are central to its architecture. The vehicle utilizes a v-hull monocoque to deflect blasts away from occupants, providing high-degree protection against land mines, 7.62 mm ball ammunition, 81 mm mortar fragments, and Claymore mines. Today, it serves diverse forces, including the British Army, the Royal Netherlands Army, and the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

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