The Government of Jamaica continues its

investment in the fight against crime this week, with the acquisition of six Thales

Bushmaster Protected Vehicles.

According to a statement from the on Monday (June 15), the purchase was done on behalf of the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) and continues the country’s five-year relationship with the Australian-made manufacturer.Thales Group

The purchase covers three troop carriers and three ambulance versions of the Bushmaster, bringing the JDF’s overall fleet of vehicles to 18.

The Thales Group indicated that the

transaction cost Jamaican taxpayers €7 million, which when converted into local

currency is an estimated $1.98 billion.

“Thales’ Bushmaster protected vehicle will

lead to enhanced safety and security for Jamaican citizens, helping crime fighters

in their crucial mission,” said Vice President of Thales in Latin America,

Ruben Lazo.

The Bushmaster is an 11-tonne, 4×4 blast

and ballistic protected mobility vehicle with a 4-tonne payload. This

multifaceted, combat proven vehicle is specially designed to protect and

transport up to ten people in extreme environments and hostile territory.

According to Thales, the Bushmaster saves

lives on- and off-road, providing an “excellent balance of protection,

mobility, space and cost that is well proven in service to many nations around

the world.”

The French company further noted that the

new vehicles for Jamaica come with special features including “fully integrated

Auxiliary Power Units (APUs) that provide power and supplementary air

conditioning when the engine is off.”

“This allows static vehicles to maintain a

comfortable temperature in the hot Jamaican climate. As the ambulance versions

will give soldiers the ability to evacuate and treat injured police officers

under the protection of the Bushmaster rather than having to deploy vulnerable unarmoured

vehicles into dangerous situations,” Thales said.