The federal government will acquire 78 Bushmaster protected mobility vehicles for the Australian Defence Force in a $160 million contract with Thales Australia.

The Bushmasters will be manufactured in Bendigo, Victoria, with the first delivery expected in 2024, according to a public statement made on 17 May.

The contract was signed at Thales Australia’s Bendigo facility with Minister for Defence Industry Pat Conroy and Member for Bendigo Lisa Chesters in attendance.

The vehicles are designed to protect a nine-man infantry section and passengers from landmines and other explosive devices using a V-shaped hull. They also have an armoured shell against small arms fire, run flat tyre inserts, and a central tyre inflation system.

Bushmasters are traditionally armed with either a 12.7mm heavy machine gun or 40mm air-to-ground missile remote weapon station, with additional manned 7.62mm guns.