More Bushmasters for 3rd Brigade Townsville

, The latest ceremony celebrating the handover of Bushmaster armoured vehicles to the 3rd Brigade in Townsville took place on the 23rd February 2007. 
 
Thales and Defence Materiel Organisation handed over 66 vehicles to Brigadier John Caligari, Commander of 3rd Brigade, and the soldiers of B squadron 3/4 Cavalry Regiment. 
 
The Bushmaster vehicles are designed to provide superior protection against anti tank mines, small arms fire, mortar fragments and improvised explosive devices. 
 
Brigadier Mike Phelps, Director General Land Manoeuvre Systems, DMO acknowledged the strength of the relationship between DMO and Thales Australia, and the great enthusiasm within the army for the Bushmaster. 
 
“The Bushmaster provides our Australian servicemen and women with protection and mobility when they need it most.” said Thales Australia's Bob Simpson. 
 
“The armoured vehicle which is currently in operations in Iraq and Afghanistan is also an important Australian capability” he said. 
 
The Bushmasters delivered to Townsville are replacing M113 tracked Armoured Personnel Carriers. 
 
The ceremony at Laverack Barracks included the Honourable Peter Lindsay MP who is the local member for Herbert and the recently appointed Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Defence. 
 
It also brought together senior representatives from the Army, Defence Materiel Organisation, Thales Australia Land Systems, and Thales sub-contractors.