Masters of the Desert
Aussie-made IMV a success on first deployment

Workhorses: AMTG Bushmasters amid the wastelands of Al Muthanna province. Photos by Cpl Cameron Jamieson

By Cpl Cameron Jamieson

IT CAME, it saw and it has conquered any doubts about its abilities.

The Australian designed and built Bushmaster IMV has received widespread acclaim among members of the AMTG in southern Iraq following the debut of the production- model version on operations.

Convoy commanders, drivers and passengers all agree that the new vehicle has mastered the desert conditions in style, thanks to a wide range of features.

Lt Troy Ford, an AMTG cavalry troop leader, was impressed with the Bushmaster’s ability to carry troops in varying terrain at speed.

“The mobility it provides to the dismounted elements, be they AMTG infantry or members of the Australian Army Training Team, is excellent,” he said.

“We also use them on our road runs to our logistic base and they can easily keep up with our ASLAVs.”

The automatic transmission and 300hp CAT engine are a big hit with the drivers.

Pte Richard Kellington, a seasoned 1CSSB truck driver, said the Bushmaster was one of the best vehicles he had ever driven.

“It’s a lot better than a Mack truck,” he said.

“You’ve got more protection and it has an automatic transmission, so you just press a button and drive it.

“The handling is also good for its size and weight, and it can tow an eight-tonne trailer like it was a half-tonne trailer. They’re a good vehicle, and I hope to see more of them around the Army.”

Cpl Joshua Nicholas, of 5/7RAR, is typical of the infantrymen who often ride in the Bushmaster.

“You can fit a whole section in it, and it some regards it’s similar to working out of the APCs back home,” he said. “But it’s more comfortable and spacious.”

Everyone agrees that in the desert the excellent air-conditioning unit in the Bushmaster is one of the best things about the vehicle, but there’s more to it than creature-comfort. “It’s hard to work in 50 degree heat in body armour,” Cpl Nicholas said.

“Having an air conditioned vehicle to jump into after a task means we can be ready for another task after about 10 minutes, and that means an increase in our availability and endurance.”

AMTG transport troop leader WO2 Paul Bodsworth said his team of drivers had been monitoring their Bushmasters to see how it performed in the heat and dust. “They’re performing quite well,” he said, “and I think they’re ideally made for the situation we are in. They’ll go anywhere because they have a central tyre inflation system, so we can cross sand and rocky features, which are typical of the terrain here.”

WO2 Bodsworth said he believed that if the Bushmaster could operate in Iraq without any major problems then it could operate anywhere in Australia, however there could still be one problem for his drivers when they return to Australia.

“All the drivers are quite impressed with the Bushmaster,” he said. “They’re comfortable to drive and the suspension is great, so I think the drivers will have a bit of trouble going back to their trucks after driving this.”