Australia upgrades Bushmaster vehicles to counter drone threats

Australia's Bushmaster vehicles are getting a high-tech upgrade to fight the growing threat of armed drones. This new technology, created by Thales Australia and US company Dedrone, has been tested in Victoria. It aims to protect military personnel from drone attacks, especially as these threats have increased during the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Mitchell O'Dwyer from Thales explained that this upgrade is an important next step for the Bushmaster, a vehicle in service since the 1990s. Known for its durability against ground threats, the Bushmaster now needs to adapt to new dangers like drones. He emphasized that improving the vehicle's ability to protect against these threats is essential for its users. The new counter-drone system can work even when the Bushmaster is moving. Ash Alexander-Cooper from Dedrone mentioned that the system uses "smart jamming" to detect drones from several kilometers away, allowing the vehicle to respond without having to see the drone first. Currently, the Australian Defence Force has not added this technology to its existing Bushmasters. However, they are looking for ways to integrate a counter-drone system that will be ready for the entire Army by 2032. This project aims to enhance protection for deployed troops and various equipment. In a related story, there are concerns about delays in sending Australian Abrams tanks to Ukraine. Calls for quicker delivery have been made, as some believe the Ukrainian forces need them urgently. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese acknowledged the logistics challenges but assured that the government is working hard to support Ukraine.