Fireworks as ADF shows off its new kit

The big guns were out for Exercise Chong Ju at Puckapunyal army base yesterday.

Soldiers disembark from the M113 armoured personnel carrier at Puckapunyal yesterday. Picture: Mark Stewart

The Australian Defence Force showed off its newest piece of hi-tech kit — its Boxer combat reconnaissance vehicle — during a live-fire exercise at Victoria’s Puckapunyal army base ­yesterday.

The annual live-fire display, dubbed Exercise Chong Ju, showcased the army’s most recent weapons, vehicles and combat systems for the first time, including the Hawkei Protected Mobility Vehicle.

The Australian Army Commander of Forces, Command Major General Gus McLachlan, said the exercise was the army’s “largest firepower demonstration and provides our soldiers with an opportunity to train in and experience a live-fire setting”.

Lieutenant Jakub Leski-Taylor with the Tiger armed reconnaissance helicopter. Picture: Mark Stewart

“Army is evolving to ensure we are adapting with technology and drawing from the intellectual talent of our people to continually build and harness a powerful land force, always ready to defend Australia and its national interests,” Major General McLachlan said.

The new Boxer combat reconnaissance vehicles are designed to better protect Australian troops from improvised explosive devises and ­rocket-propelled grenades while its cannons can fire 200 rounds of ammunition in one minute.

The live-fire display featured a “static display” of the Boxer.

The Turnbull government has committed $5.2 billion to purchase 211 of the combat vehicles. A contract was won by German company Rheinmetall in March following a three-year tender and testing process.

An M1A1 Abrams tank demonstrates its firepower during Exercise Chong Ju. Picture: Mark Stewart

The exercise also featured a display of the Tiger armed reconnaissance helicopter, as well as the Hawkei Protected Mobility Vehicle.

A prototype of the Hawkei, one of Australia’s newest combat vehicles, was deployed to Afghanistan last month for evaluation and has also been used as a staff car in Canberra by the incoming Chief of the Defence Force, Angus Campbell.

The vehicles are designed to withstand major blasts and ballistic threats to protect troops from small-arms fire and ­fragmentation.

The exercise also included the M1A1 Abrams tank; the ASLAV (Australian Light Armoured Vehicle); the M113 armoured personnel carrier as well as 81mm mortars and a M777 155mm howitzer artillery piece.