Australia’s new fighting machine, described as a ‘ute with grunt’ has hit the battlefield

A PROTOTYPE of Australia’s newest fighting machine has been deployed to Afghanistan for the first time, and is expected to revolutionise battlefield deployments forever.

A PROTOTYPE of Australia’s newest fighting machine has been deployed to Afghanistan for the first time, to run it through its paces in an “operational environment”.

The Hawkei Protected Mobility Vehicle (light), described by some as akin to a large ute with grunt, arrived in the Afghan capital Kabul yesterday where the model will spend the next four months being evaluated.

The vehicle, which when fully kitted out, is expected to revolutionise battlefield deployments with its suite of communications and protection for troops.

A prototype Hawkei (Protected Mobility Vehicle-light) has been deployed to Afghanistan for the first time, arriving in Kabul today. Picture: Gary Ramage

It was already turning the heads of the numerous coalition forces based at the Hamid Karzai International Airport yesterday accustomed to the Australian Defence Force’s deployed fleet of the significantly bigger Bushmaster vehicles.

A Defence spokeswoman said: “The deployment of the Hawkei into the Middle East will assure Defence’s ability to rapidly deploy its protected vehicles outside of Australia.”

The incoming Chief of the Defence Force Angus Campbell is known to be a particular fan of the Thales Australia designed and manufactured vehicle to the point he uses one as a staff car in Canberra.

Pending testing, the ADF are building 1100 Hawkeis, at a cost of more than $1.5 billion, at a manufacturing facility in Bendigo next year Picture: Gary Ramage

When two prototype models were deployed to the Middle East earlier this year, for the deserts in Iraq, Defence Minister Marise Payne said she hoped coalition forces would take note of Australia’s defence industries expertise.

“The Hawkei’s cutting edge technology and design means it’s able to withstand significant blast and ballistic threats which will protect our soldiers from small arms fire and fragmentation,” Senator Payne said.

A prototype of Australia's latest fighting machine, the Hawkei (Protected Mobility Vehicle-light) has been deployed to Afghanistan for the first time, arriving in Kabul today. Picture: Gary Ramage

“The Hawkei showcases the capability, maturity and international competitiveness of Australian defence industry.”

It is understood the Polish military, that coincidently has a contingent in Afghanistan, is particularly interested in the fighting machine.

The ADF is acquiring 1100 Hawkeis at a cost of more than $1.5 billion with full production to begin in Bendigo next year.

Originally published as Australia’s new fighting machine, described as a ‘ute with grunt’ has hit the battlefield