Australia is advancing efforts to enhance the protection of its military vehicles against the increasing threat of small uncrewed aerial systems (sUAS) by introducing a counter-drone upgrade for its Bushmaster Protected Mobility Vehicles (PMVs). The Australian Army’s vehicle fleet, in service since the late 1990s, is undergoing trials for a counter-UAS (C-UAS) system developed by Thales Australia in partnership with Dedrone by Axon. The system has been successfully tested in simulated battlefield environments in Victoria and is designed to operate while the vehicle is in motion. This development follows increased global interest in mobile drone defenses, particularly due to the extensive use of drones in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
The counter-drone system is intended to be retrofitted onto any existing Bushmaster vehicle and is designed to counter Group 1 to Group 3 drone threats through electronic disruption, while maintaining mobility and operational awareness.
The counter-drone system combines DedroneTracker.AI software with passive RF sensors mounted on the Bushmaster. According to Thales Australia representative Mitchell O’Dwyer, the integration of this capability addresses new threats emerging in current operational theatres. Dedrone by Axon’s Ash Alexander-Cooper stated that the system is capable of detecting drones at long distances and disrupting them without requiring a direct line of sight. The system is intended to be retrofitted onto any existing Bushmaster vehicle and is designed to counter Group 1 to Group 3 drone threats through electronic disruption, while maintaining mobility and operational awareness.
As of early 2025, the Australian Defence Force has not yet implemented the Dedrone system across its Bushmaster fleet. However, the Department of Defence is progressing with Project LAND 156, which seeks to provide a minimum viable counter-drone capability across the Army’s land force by 2032. Since 2022, Australia has donated 120 Bushmasters to Ukraine as part of more than A$1.3 billion in military support. In parallel, delays in the delivery of donated M1A1 Abrams tanks have raised criticism. Opposition Leader Peter Dutton has called for faster action, while Prime Minister Anthony Albanese cited the logistical complexities of sending military equipment into a conflict zone and stated that delivery efforts are ongoing in cooperation with U.S. partners.