Thales celebrated the milestone at an event yesterday. 

The company’s business development manager Geoff Miller said the vehicle had saved countless lives and been a big asset to Bendigo. 

“The early contracts were for 299 vehicles and we’ve produced 1000,” he said. 

“It’s a fantastic day. 

“If you look at the process we’ve been running through over 15 years, no-one ever would have believed we would reach this milestone.”

Mr Miller said the armoured vehicle was exported to the UK and Netherlands and was currently being used in Afghanistan. 

“I think the principal of it is its high protection levels,” he said. 

“What that’s affording the 10 troops who ride in them is security so if there’s a roadside bomb or attack, they’re surviving in the vehicle. 

“That’s very, very good that we can contribute in that way by protecting the young women and men who are protecting our way of life.” 

Mr Miller said Thales was optimistic about its future in Bendigo. 

“What we’re excited about is the Hawkei,” he said. 

“We’re in the tender evaluation stage with the Australian Army for a sizeable number. 

“We’ve got four or five vehicles under prototype evaluation with the army as we speak. 

“We’re focused on that as a very serious project and we remain very optimistic.” 

A partnership between the army manufacturer and Solider On, which supports wounded and sick soldiers, was launched at yesterday’s event. 

Soldier On chairman Peter Leahy said servicemen spoke about the Bushmaster saving their lives in combat. 

“It doesn’t get any better than that,” he said. 

The vehicle has been used in East Timor, Iraq and Afghanistan and Mr Leahy said it was a “new icon of the Australian Army”.