Bisalloy Steel Group is pleased to announce it has commenced the supply of BISALLOY® Armour grade steel, for the Army’s new generation protected vehicle – Hawkei.

The LAND 121 Phase 4 tender selected Hawkei as the next addition to the Australian Defence Force fleet. 1,100 Protected Mobility Vehicles – Light (PMV-L) will be acquired for command, liaison, utility and reconnaissance roles. The Hawkei has been developed to provide an optimum balance of the requirements for survivability, mobility, payload, communications, usability and sustainability.

Soldiers on operations will benefit from increased protection and mobility in a powerful 4×4 vehicle, which can be adapted for different mission profiles. Hawkei follows the life-saving success of the larger Bushmaster vehicle, which has protected Australian and other troops in some of the most challenging combat environments on earth.

The three and a half year production phase has now commenced with first material deliveries already completed by Bisalloy.

Chris Jenkins, CEO of Thales Australia said: “We are proud to have been chosen to deliver the Hawkei to the Australian Defence Force.

“We also thank our suppliers on the program, companies such as Bisalloy that have been with us on this journey, and have contributed to its success. The Hawkei is an Australian industry success story.

Listed on the ASX and operating for over 38 years, Bisalloy is Australia’s only manufacturer of high strength and high hardness quenched and tempered steel plate used for armour, structural, protection and wear resistant applications.

Bisalloy Steel Group Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, Greg Albert, said the company had a long, collaborative association with the Australian Defence Force and manufacturers such as Thales.

Indeed, BISALLOY® Armour steel has become a leading product for defence applications in Australia and abroad and has been specified and used for each of the 1100 Bushmaster Infantry Mobility Vehicles produced to date in Australia.

“For 25 years, the Bisalloy story has been one of working in partnership with Australian steel producers, defence scientists and engineers, international organisations and manufacturers of military vessels and vehicles to produce what we believe are some of the best armour plate products in the world,” Greg Albert said.

“As an Australian manufacturer of world class defence grade steel, Bisalloy is proud to be partnering again with a globally recognised companies like Plasan and Thales on such an important project. We look forward to our continuing long-term relationship.”

Bisalloy Business Manager – Armour, Justin Suwart, said the Hawkei vehicle is an example of what can be achieved by Australian manufacturers working closely with the Australian Defence Force.

“Using Bisalloy’s armour grade steels, the Hawkei will provide a high level of protection against blast and ballistic threats, with significantly improved mobility.

“The Hawkei is yet another example of where Bisalloy represents the high quality of Australian manufacturing and products on the world stage – this vehicle showcases the high quality Australian-made armour steel Bisalloy produces.

“We are very proud to know that our troops will be protected by the steel we make in Wollongong, and we are pleased to work with companies like Thales who are protecting Australia’s fighting forces,” Justin Suwart concluded.