Defence Industry

At Eurosatory: Thales’s displays Hawkei light protected vehicle
Star Rating Loader Please wait...
Issue Net Edition | Date : 16 Jun , 2014

Thales Hawkei (© J. Byron Thales)

An export version of Thales’s innovative Hawkei light protected vehicle will be on display at Eurosatory, the largest international land and air-land defence and security exhibition in Paris this week.

The brand new left-hand drive version will be appearing in the live demonstration zone, offering potential international customers a first opportunity to see the vehicle in action.

A right-hand drive version will also be on the Thales stand, along with many of the company’s other capabilities.

Chris Jenkins said: “The Hawkei’s bolted modular design enables Thales to support technology transfer to countries where industrialisation can be performed at lower cost, giving customers the opportunity to develop their own in-country protected mobility capabilities and skills.”

The 7-tonne, 4×4 Hawkei is designed for rapid airmobile deployment. Available in a variety of variants including command, reconnaissance, liaison and utility, it is a compelling choice for operations with limited point-of-entry options.

In 2013 Thales delivered six Hawkeis to the Australian Department of Defence under Stage 2 of the Manufactured and Supported in Australia option of Land 121 Phase 4. The vehicles, comprising two Command, two Utility and two Reconnaissance variants, plus a trailer, have been subject to an extensive 130,000 km testing programme.

The LAND 121 Phase 4 programme plans to acquire 1,300 Hawkei vehicles next year to replace the current Australian Army Land Rover fleet.

Rate this Article
Star Rating Loader Please wait...
The views expressed are of the author and do not necessarily represent the opinions or policies of the Indian Defence Review.

About the Author

More by the same author

Post your Comment

2000characters left