Thales Hawkei

The Hawkei is an Australian light four-wheel-drive protected mobility vehicle. Originally designed in 2010 to meet an Australian Defence Force (ADF) requirement for a light armoured patrol vehicle to replace some of its Land Rover Perentie variants. The Hawkei is a highly mobile, highly protected, 7-tonne vehicle, with inbuilt systems to allow it to be used as a fighting platform.[3] It has been developed with Vehicle Electronic Architecture to be mission system ready.[4]

It is intended to undertake a range of mission profiles, including troop movement, command and control, electronic warfare, liaison, surveillance and reconnaissance.[5] Prime contractors include: Thales Australia, Boeing Australia, Plasan (Israel) and PAC Group. In October 2015, the Australian Government announced the purchase of 1,100 Hawkei vehicles from Thales Australia.[6]

The build is really straightforward, and in line with my intentions for this and the BRV, it features a fairly robust building system shared by many 4x4 LUVs at this scale. This time, I opted for a simulated steering system with plate bars as opposed to a drive train. Opening doors, roof hatch and cargo compartment. Genuinely a very straightforward vehicle all through and through! Hope you enjoy!