THE Australian Government has snubbed a Bendigo-built defence vehicle and funded the development of nine US prototypes similar to a lighter variant of the Bushmaster.The Federal Government will contribute $40 million to the United States’ Joint Light Tactical Vehicle program, in a move that has angered the Bendigo business community.“This defies any logic as far as I’m concerned,” Bendigo Business Council chairman Doug Buerger said.“You’ve got yourself a proven product in Bendigo and this just beggars belief.“This is an opportunity that Bendigo cannot afford to lose, especially in the current economic climate.”The Federal Government funds will result in the development of nine prototype vehicles built by three US contractors, none of whom have any Australian involvement.The Pentagon announced the partnership between Australia and the US Army and Marine Corps in late February.The agreement means the US will pay for 21 vehicles and Australia will fund nine.The prototypes will feature right-hand drive and face some tropical testing in Australia. Australia will also send four program personnel to the US program office.Brigadier Roderick West, the Australian Army attache to the US, said Australia required 1300 vehicles that could be filled by the JLTV program.However, the Bendigo Business Council has questioned why those vehicles did not come from Thales Australia’s Bendigo facility.“People at Thales have the technology and expertise and the proven track record,” Mr Buerger said.“If they were to build something to save people’s lives, let’s give everybody a chance to get the best product . . . Thales have to be in the mix.”Mr Buerger said the Department of Defence’s lack of interest in a new Bendigo-built lightweight military mobility vehicle could cost local jobs.“I understand many of these are replacements for Australia’s current fleet of Land Rover vehicles,” Mr Buerger said.It is particularly disappointing that our Defence Department is overlooking a locally-built vehicle with a proven track record of protecting our troops in war zones around the world.“Thales Australia has a light protected mobility vehicle (PMV-L) on the drawing board that is based on its highly successful Bushmaster design.“This would be a lower-risk option, because it uses proven Bushmaster technology and it should be available earlier than any American alternative which is designed from scratch.”Mr Buerger said Prime Minister Kevin Rudd’s statements about partnering with Australian defence manufacturers appeared to have been ignored by the Department of Defence.“Not only is a potential $2 billion boost to the Bendigo economy and employment at risk, but it is also risking existing jobs at Thales,” he said.“I understand that current orders for the Bushmaster will only keep the production line busy until early 2011. There will inevitably be lay-offs if there are no further sales of the current Bushmaster or sales of a new light vehicle.”