WHAT IS THE HAWKEI?
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* A light protected vehicle for use by the Australian army and air force
* The government is spending $2 billion to bring 1100 into service, along with 1058 trailers, to better protect ADF personnel
* 1098 vehicles have been made at the Thales Protected Vehicles facility in Bendigo and Defence has accepted 874, with 389 so far rolled out to Defence units
* It is the only protected vehicle capable of being lifted by ADF Chinook helicopters and has a next-generation communications system
* Ukrainian military chiefs say it would be a good addition to their capabilities in seeking to oust Russia
* But it was not included in the latest Australian package of support for Ukraine.
WHAT HAS HAPPENED WITH IT?
November 2020 - report of a "safety incident involving brake functionality" leads to Defence temporarily suspending use
May 2021 - vehicles meet "initial operational capability" and brake issue is "downgraded"
November 2022 - more concerns around braking system
April 2023 - media reports the entire fleet would need to be recalled due to a braking system fault
May 2023 - Defence officials tell a Senate hearing "an interim solution (is) in place to allow training for Defence to continue for the vehicle to achieve its full operating capability" in mid-2024. They confirm there is still "no root cause" for the braking issue.
Australian Associated Press
