Sounds like the Hawkei (5pax) is a smaller version of the Bushmaster (9pax) battle taxi. Protected mobility is more and more essential for Warlike operations but there is still plenty of need for non-protected light vehicles - lugging 2t of vehicle vs 7t, such as for disaster relief, reconnaissance, etc.

Thales might be trying the old Defence contractor's trick of saying they have ADF interest to get foreign military sales interest. There are plenty of these type of truck about, the best being the IVECO 4120 (think that is the model), 3 times the payload of the HMMWV, better protection, better fuel use, etc, etc.

The new Merc G-wagens also have aplique armour kits that do a reasonable job as well.