The Labor MP has been vocal in urging the government to award a contract to build 1300 Hawkei defence vehicles to the Bendigo-based manufacturer.

Ms Chesters said she was disappointed the minister Kevin Andrews chose not to visit Thales during his flying-visit.

The Coalition MP instead chose to tour the Australia Defence Apparel factory in East Bendigo.

Mr Andrews, who replaced David Johnston as Defence Minister in December last year, said he visited all defence bases and defence-related businesses he could when time allowed.

He hailed Australia Defence Apparel as a "success story", which employed 70 people in Bendigo and provided a big boost to the local economy.

Addressing the tender process to build the new 1300 light protected mobility vehicles, which will replace the military's ageing Rover PMV fleet, Mr Andrews said there had been substantial interest from across Australia in the contract.

"We hopefully might have a decision by the end of the year," he said.

"The Bushmaster is a great vehicle that has been produced here in Bendigo.

"(Thales) are clearly in the running for anything like that."

Thales is currently developing and testing Hawkeis at its Bendigo site.

The company previously won a $205 million bid in 2012 to produce 214 Bushmaster vehicles.

Ms Chesters yesterday renewed calls for the Abbott government to commit to delivering the Hawkei project in Bendigo.

“Since January I have been calling on the government to sign the new Hawkei contract to secure the jobs at the Bendigo‐based manufacturer," she said.

“What we don't want to see is the Abbott government abandoning these jobs, like they have abandoned jobs in the Australian ship‐building and automotive industries.

“Maintaining a heavy industrial base, including the skilled workers here in Bendigo, has important strategic benefits for Australia and must not be allowed to wither and die."