KINGSTON, Jamaica (JIS) – Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller on Wednesday commissioned into service, the Jamaica Defence Force’s (JDF) new Protected Mobility Vehicles (PMVs) Squadron.

The fleet is equipped with 12 Thales Bushmaster PMVs, three of which were acquired this month.

The Thales Bushmaster is an Australian-built vehicle that is designed for rugged conditions. They are flexible enough for use in search and rescue (SAR) operations, as well as provide support for the security operations conducted by the JDF.

Acquisition of the vehicles will enable the JDF to safely deploy soldiers to any location in Jamaica regardless of the physical threat or terrain they may encounter.

Speaking at the commissioning ceremony held at Up Park Camp, the Prime Minister said the PMVs will aid the military in carrying out its mandate in protecting the nation.

She said the vehicles will be part of the security assistance that the soldiers provide to the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF), and also “provide rapid response and relief to our citizens in times of natural disasters, and other emergencies.” 

Minister of National Security Peter Bunting and Chief of Defence Staff, Major General Antony Anderson, noted that the vehicles will significantly improve the JDF’s capability in carrying out its range of operations and safeguard the country’s security.

The Bushmaster PMVs are  designed to provide protected mobility transport,  with infantry able to dismount  from the vehicles before going into action.  They are capable of carrying up to nine soldiers and their equipment, and fuel and supplies for three days.

They have multiple applications including combat and troop support as well as disaster recovery and response. 

The vehicles replace the JDF’s fleet of aged Cadillac Gage V150 Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs), most of which were acquired almost 40 years ago.