Australia Adds to Weapons Buildup With New Armored Vehicle Deal

Australia said it will spend more than $800 million to buy armored vehicles, adding to its recent spurt of weapons purchases as the government implements its biggest peacetime increase in defense spending.

Canberra will spend A$1.2 billion ($860 million) to buy almost 300 new armored Bushmaster vehicles and upgrade armored trucks for the Army, according to a statement from the Department of Defence on Sunday. The vehicles will be built by the local subsidiary of French weapons maker Thales SA.