File image.
Bushmaster protected mobility vehicles provided by Australia have already made their way to the battlefield in Ukraine.
On April 7, a video showing fighters of Kiev forces driving around in a Bushmaster vehicle an unspecified part of Ukraine surfaced online. The vehicle was armed with a Mk 19 40 mm grenade launcher and a number of FN MAG 58 7.62 mm machine guns.
Designed and manufactured by Thales Australia, the Bushmaster has a road cruise speed of 100 kilometers per hour and an operational range of 800 kilometers. It can carry up to nine soldiers and their equipment, fuel and supplies for three days.
The Bushmaster is a mine protected vehicle and provides a high degree of protection against land mines, using its v-hull monocoque to deflect the blast away from the vehicle and its occupants. The vehicle’s armour provides protection against small arms of up to 7.62 mm ball ammunition, 81 mm mortar fragments, Claymore mines, and with additional applique armour, protection for armour-piercing ammunition of up to 7.62 mm.
As a part of a military aid package announced early on in April in response to the ongoing Russian special military operation in Ukraine, Australia will supply Kiev forces with up to 20 Bushmaster vehicles.
Australia will also supply Kiev forces with six M777 155 mm towed howitzers along with loads of ammunition. The howitzers have already been shipped to Europe.
Click to see full-size image. Via Twitter.
Click to see full-size image. Via Twitter.
Click to see full-size image. Via Twitter.
Click to see full-size image. Via Twitter.
Kiev’s backers are clearly trying to prolong the war in Ukraine by supplying Kiev forces with weapons with no real strategic value like armored vehicles and howitzers. This policy is only leading to more humanitarian suffering in the country.
