Eurosatory 2026: Thales Australia unveils Bushmaster Mulga utility variant

Thales Australia unveiled the Bushmaster Mulga variant at Eurosatory 2026. (Janes/Amael Kotlarski)

Thales Australia unveiled the next generation Bushmaster Mulga 5.6 mine-resistant ambush-protected (MRAP) armoured vehicle on the first day of the Eurosatory 2026 defence exhibition held in Paris on 15-19 June. The unveiling was done by Major General Jason Blain, head of the Australian Defence Forces' Land Systems, Capability Acquisition and Sustainment Group, and Julien Assoun, Thales vice president, Vehicles and Tactical Systems, during a ceremony at the Team Defence Australia stand.

According to Thales, the Bushmaster Mulga utility variant is capable of integrating a range of different sensors, effectors, and mission systems to meet current warfighting requirements. The vehicle displayed at Eurosatory 2026 had a four-metre-long tray behind the crew cab equipped with the Thales RapidStriker counter-unmanned aircraft system that was launched on the first day of the exhibition. The vehicle was also equipped with a Thales Belgium FZ276 70 mm laser guided rocket, a Thales Panoramic Above Armour Gimbal, and a Robin radar.

According to Thales, the Bushmaster Mulga incorporates new front-door access, improved vehicle entry, digital displays, and vehicle monitoring systems to improve usability, sustainment and field support. Aimed at global customers, the vehicle is left-hand drive.

The Australian government has 290 Bushmasters on order. A Thales Australia representative told Janes at Eurosatory 2026 on 17 June that the order could be modified for the 290 vehicles to include the latest Mulga version if Australia decides to procure it.

For more, please see:

Australia procures additional Bushmaster vehicles