Australia Tests Bushmaster Armored Vehicles With Electronic Warfare Capabilities Inspired by Ukraine

Thales Australia is testing a modified version of its Bushmaster armored vehicle equipped with an integrated counter-drone electronic warfare (EW) system, developed in response to lessons learned from the war in Ukraine.

According to ABC News on March 25, the vehicle features a system designed by the American company Dedrone. The technology detects and adapts to aerial threats in real time, offering automated protection against drone attacks.

Mitchell O’Dwyer, a representative from Thales Australia, described the enhancement as a “natural progression” for the Bushmaster, originally built as a mine-resistant, ambush-protected vehicle.

“Protection and mobility are critical elements of ground maneuver for a vehicle like the Bushmaster. The ability to counter new threats emerging in global theatres is essential to maintaining operational capability,” O’Dwyer said.

The system reportedly allows the vehicle to operate both while stationary and on the move using “smart jamming” techniques.

Dedrone’s engineers use radio frequency monitoring systems that activate jamming only when drones approach. The system can also automatically adjust to the specific frequencies used by detected UAV communication systems.

Based on the description and available imagery, the platform appears to be the Dedrone Tactical system. According to the manufacturer, the technology is largely autonomous and incorporates artificial intelligence to improve drone detection and reduce false alarms.

Although the Australian Army has not yet deployed anti-drone systems across its Bushmaster fleet, the country launched a search for such technologies in 2024 as part of the LAND 156 program.

The Ministry of Defense stated the project aims to provide baseline survivability across the entire ground force, including vehicles, personnel, and critical infrastructure deployed domestically and abroad.

Earlier, Australia transferred JDAM-ER precision-guided bombs to Ukraine after retiring them from its Royal Air Force inventory. The munitions, capable of striking targets up to 72 kilometers away, were part of broader military aid announced in 2024, including a $250 million support package and air-to-ground weapons pledged throughout the year.