Training provider DECA helps out defence contractor Thales Australia with advanced courses in armoured infantry vehicle, the Bushmaster
June 10, 2010
Transport training and education provider Driver Education Centres of Australia (DECA), recently conducted two training courses for defence contractor Thales Australia, specifically in the operation of the Bushmaster armoured infantry vehicle.
Thales is a leading international electronics and systems group serving the defence, aerospace and security markets throughout the world, with operations in 50 countries and 68,000 employees.
Thales is probably best-known in Australia as the manufacturer of the Bushmaster, a specially-designed, highly-mobile armoured infantry vehicle, designed to rapidly deploy battle-ready troops in all field conditions.
Developed for the Australian Defence Force by Thales Australia with the support of engineering services contributed by Timoney Technologies, Ireland, the Bushmaster provides significant troop protection, all-terrain agility and expeditionary capacity. It is currently in service with the Australian Army and Royal Netherlands Army.
As part of its contractual agreements, Thales provides training in the operation and servicing of the Bushmaster to its military customers. And this is where DECA came in.
Steve Muscolino, Integrated Logistics Support Project Co-ordinator with Thales Australia, and three other trainers from the company undertook an advanced four-wheel drive off-road course and a defensive truck driving course at DECA’s Shepparton training complex.
“We are responsible for developing our own training courses and then delivering the training to our customersm” Muscolino says. “We found the experience with DECA invaluable in helping us develop and deliver the most appropriate level of vehicle specific training so that our customers in turn can train their own personnel.”