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Video: Hawkei begins full-scale production in Central Victoria

The armoured vehicle has been given final approval, with 50 vehicles rolling off the production line every month.


The next-generation of light armoured patrol vehicles for the Australian Defence Force is entering full-scale production in Bendigo.

The Hawkei MPV – designed and manufactured by defence giant Thales – is a 7000kg armoured four-wheel-drive truck, capable of being adapted to troop carrying, a command hub, electronic warfare centre, or reconnaissance missions.

While passenger vehicle production may have left Australian shores, the Hawkei supports more than 200 jobs in the Bendigo region of Central Victoria.

At a recent event in Canberra, the Hawkei was shown fitted with a new CEATAC radar – an air defence radar adapted from naval applications, made by Australian company CEA Technologies.

The Hawkei is powered by a 3.2-litre turbo diesel six-cylinder, putting out 200kW and 610Nm through an eight-speed ZF gearbox.

Minister of Defence, Senator Linda Reynolds, said "The Hawkei is a significant enhancement to existing land capability that will provide superior mobility, survivability and communications, while protecting the lives of our soldiers when operating in increasingly lethal and complex environments".

Approximately 50 vehicles will be produced at the Thales Protected Vehicles facility in Bendigo each month, following the Hawkei's final evaluation at Puckapunyal army base in early 2020.


Ben Zachariah

Ben Zachariah is an experienced writer and motoring journalist from Melbourne, having worked in the automotive industry for more than two decades. Ben began writing professionally more than 15 years ago and was previously an interstate truck driver. He completed his MBA in Finance in early 2021 and is considered an expert on classic car investment.

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