4th Brigade members welcome the Hawkeis to Hobart. Photos: ADF.
Tasmania-based Australian army units have taken delivery of their first Thales Australia Hawkei protected military vehicles (PMV).
The four Hawkeis and their trailers were delivered to Hobart from Amberley in Queensland in late February by a Royal Australian Air Force Boeing C-17A Globemaster III transport. They were met at the airport by members of the 12th/40th Battalion, Royal Tasmania Regiment and other members of the 4th Brigade.
The delivery will give 4th Brigade units an opportunity to train on these latest army vehicles to build their skills and its capabilities.
The Hawkei PMV is built by Thales Australia at Bendigo in country Victoria. It is built in full-cab, half-cab and utility forms, can tow trailers and M777A2 artillery pieces, is designed to go off road, and its armour and V-shaped hull can protect up to five passengers from small-arms fire and improvised explosive device detonations.
The roof of the cab can be fitted with a manually operated machine gun or a remote weapons station.
Versions of the Hawkei have also been developed to carry CEA radars, MTS-A optical-based sensors and AMRAAM missile launchers for the army’s new Project LAND 19 Phase 7B NASAMS short-range ground-based air defence (SRGBAD) system to be based in Adelaide.
The Hawkei has had a protracted development, particularly with issues with its brakes when operating off road, but it is popular with its operators.
The 12th/40th Battalion, Royal Tasmania Regiment is based at Anglesea Barracks in Hobart. It is an Army Reserve infantry unit within the 4th Brigade, which is part of the 2nd (Australian) Division. The 2nd (Australian) Division’s mission is to prepare, command and control forces to protect Australia.
