Indonesia receives Bushmasters from Australia

Soldiers from the Indonesia National Armed Forces Peacekeeping Centre conduct driver training on the Bushmaster Protected Mobility Vehicle with the 5th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment, Darwin, Northern Territory. (Commonwealth of Australia)

The Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) hasreceived 15 Bushmaster Protected Mobility Vehicles (PMVs) from Australia for peacekeeping missions, the TNI Information Centre said in a social media post on 8 August.

In September 2021 Australia offered 15 Bushmasters to Indonesia as a donation to support the TNI's peacekeeping capabilities. The Indonesian Ministry of Defense accepted Australia's offer in mid-April.

An Australian Department of Defence (DoD) spokesperson told Janes at the time that the Bushmasters that will be donated to Indonesia are part of the Australian Defence Force's (ADF's) existing stock and have been refurbished and integrated with capabilities to support peacekeeping.

“This will also help increase interoperability between our forces,” the DoD spokesperson added.

In late June TNI troops took part in a Bushmaster operation and maintenance exercise conducted by the Australian Army's 5th Battalion.

Under the exercise the TNI learnt about Bushmaster's basic operations, 4×4 operations such as terrain and water crossings, and communications equipment, the Australian Army said.

“The TNI soldiers then covered off on maintenance and basic servicing of the Bushmaster,” the army added.

In addition to 15 donated, the Indonesian Special Forces received three Bushmasters from Australia in February 2014 as part of the AUD2.7 million (USD1.7 million) contract signed in 2013.