Myroshnychenko mentioned he would current his proposal at an upcoming assembly with Defence Minister Richard Marles, describing the thought as a “win-win” for each international locations.
“They assist us [in the war] and we enable you make them extra adaptable to a wartime atmosphere,” he mentioned.
The Hawkei protected mobility autos have been designed and manufactured at Thales’s Bendigo website in Victoria.
Marles declined to remark as the federal government and Defence Division await particulars of the proposal.
Myroshnychenko mentioned he would additionally request Australia ship one other 30 Bushmasters to Ukraine on prime of the 60 autos the federal government has already dedicated to supply.
In July the federal government introduced it could present an extra $100 million in navy help to Ukraine, taking Australia’s complete contribution to the struggle effort to $385 million.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky final month thanked Australia for its “important help”, however urged the federal government to supply extra help because the struggle continues.
The Hawkei has important benefits over different autos, together with the actual fact it may be transported by helicopter on to the battlefield. Credit score:Division of Defence
“It’s a battle of tyranny towards democracy, so you may’t stand apart in case you help widespread ideas with Ukraine,” he mentioned in an tackle to the Australian Nationwide College.
The Australian authorities is spending $1.3 billion on a fleet of 1100 Hawkeis to switch many of the Military’s fleet of blast-protected Land Rovers. The final of the autos rolled off the manufacturing line at Bendigo final month.
The autos, which might carry as much as six troopers, have detachable armour and non-compulsory mounts for weapons together with automated grenade launchers.
Importantly, they’re gentle sufficient to be transported by helicopter, permitting them to be airlifted straight onto the battlefield.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has thanked Australia for its “important help” whereas urging the federal government to supply extra help. Credit score:ANU
Defence Pressure chief Angus Campbell has described the Hawkei as a “very versatile car, at the forefront globally of this sort of functionality”. However the rollout of the know-how was marred by technical difficulties and delays.
The Defence Division recognized issues with the Hawkei’s braking system in 2020 and introduced it could cease accepting autos from Thales whereas the problems had been investigated.
Then-defence minister Peter Dutton introduced in July final 12 months that the braking downside had been resolved, permitting working restrictions to be lifted and full-scale manufacturing to recommence.
In a brutal report launched final 12 months, the Australian Nationwide Audit Workplace discovered Defence had not demonstrated the Hawkei acquisition supplied worth for taxpayers’ cash. The federal government might have saved lots of of thousands and thousands of {dollars} by sticking with a earlier United States contract for brand spanking new gentle autos, the workplace discovered.
The autos are named after Acanthophis hawkei, a species of demise adder named in honour of former prime minister Bob Hawke.
A Thales spokeswoman declined to touch upon Myroshnychenko’s proposal, saying any choice on exporting the autos abroad can be a matter for the federal government.
Myroshnychenko mentioned he was additionally urging Australia to “undertake” a specific area of Ukraine and focus its reconstruction help on that space.
The autos are named after Acanthophis hawkei, a species of demise adder named in honour of former prime minister Bob Hawke.
He known as for Australia and New Zealand to pay attention their help on the port metropolis of Mykolaiv. Different international locations similar to Portugal, the UK and Greece have already adopted different areas in Ukraine.
“There will likely be so much that you are able to do with the ports, shipyards and grain storage services but in addition common infrastructure like faculties and hospitals which have been destroyed in massive numbers,” he mentioned.
“That is the essential stuff it’s worthwhile to permit individuals to return to the cities. I desire a piece of one thing left for Australia as a result of it could be a disgrace if everybody else is concerned and also you’re not.”
