In future conflicts with Russia, Ukraine will be allowed to utilise Bushmaster armoured vehicles. As promised to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy by Australia, However, how much assistance can military vehicles truly provide for Ukraine’s security needs?
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Ukraine is reliant on all types of assistance in its conflict with Russia, which is plainly militarily superior. Because of this, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy urged the Australian Parliament to impose more sanctions on Russia on Thursday afternoon. He requested the supply of Bushmaster armoured vehicles, which are used by the Australian military. These, according to Zelensky, would aid the Ukrainian military.
On Friday, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison said that the Bushmaster will be sent to Ukraine, as well as military assistance. When it comes to defeating Russia, how can eleven-ton military vehicles be of any use?
Bushmaster can carry heavy weapon
On and off-road, the Bushmaster’s hull is protected and has a V-shape. It is consequently explosion-proof and may be used in any environment thanks to its reinforced steel plates. Depending on the terrain and driving pace, the armoured vehicle’s central tyre pressure system may be manually or automatically adjusted. Even a flat tyre won’t stop the Bushmaster’s all-wheel drive from moving forward.
There is enough room for 10 troops, with their guns and equipment, to fit in the vehicle comfortably. As a result, the Bushmaster has the capacity to carry three days’ worth of supplies and gasoline. The vehicle’s interior has two hatches, and the roof has a gun ring with a hatch.
Various heavy weapons may be transported in the armoured vehicle. The rear roof hatches provide access to two external connection ports for quick-connect swing arm attachments.
In 1987, the Australian government was concerned about smaller foreign soldiers and sought to beef up the Australian army with armoured vehicles, therefore the Bushmaster was born. The evolution was influenced by global campaigns and conflicts. Landmines can’t get through the Bushmaster’s V-hulled design, which is based on South African and Rhodesia experiments. Instead of a weakly armoured vehicle after decades of work, the armoured vehicle finally appeared.
As of this writing, the Australian Army possesses seven different Bushmaster models, each with a unique set of capabilities. In Iraq and Afghanistan, she utilised the armoured vehicle. One hundred such vehicles are stated to be destroyed, supposedly without the loss of one single soldier.
Strong support but not a game changer
The Bushmaster’s attraction, according to former Australian Army Major General Mick Ryan, is that the vehicle is simple to operate. According to Ryan, it would be a cinch to teach the Ukrainians how to use and maintain the equipment. Particularly in light of the fact that the Ukrainian military has shown its ability to handle weaponry from all over the globe.
According to Ryan, “They saved the lives of Australian troops; they’d do the same to Ukrainians.” This is due to the fact that the Bushmaster provides protection against small weapons, booby traps, and mines. As a result, the Ukrainian army could benefit greatly from the use of the armoured vehicle, as it could force the enemy to retreat and rescue civilians from besieged cities. It’s hardly going to be a major changer in the Ukraine conflict, but It’s vulnerable to tanks and artillery, thus it’s not safe.
The Ukrainian army must be prepared to receive the Bushmaster and provide the necessary training and logistics for the Australian military vehicle. The Netherlands, Europe’s largest operator of these armoured vehicles, owns about 100 Bushmasters and could provide assistance in the aforementioned areas.
The exact number of Bushmasters that Australia intends to ship to Ukraine is still up in the air. A C-17 Globemaster aeroplane from Australia can carry four Bushmaster armoured vehicles at once, which will be used for the transportation of the armoured vehicles. Ukraine’s delivery date has likewise been kept under wraps by the Australian government. Within a few weeks, the shipment might be on its way. In addition, Prime Minister Morrison has offered AUD 25 million in military assistance (EUR 17 million). Australia may possibly provide Ukraine with outdated Abrams tanks in the future.