Hanwha Defense 'Redback' Armored Vehicle, Trial Operation in Army

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Yang Nak-gyu, Military Specialist Reporter]Hanwha Defense (CEO Son Jae-il) has developed the future-type tracked armored vehicle 'Redback' (REDBACK), which will be pilot-operated by the Army in April next year.

On the 1st, Hanwha Defense announced that as part of the 'Export Weapon System Military Pilot Operation,' the Redback infantry fighting vehicle will be pilot-operated by the Army's mechanized units from April to June next year.

Redback is a state-of-the-art tracked armored vehicle developed based on the core technology of the K21 infantry fighting vehicle currently operated by the Army. In September 2019, it was selected as one of the final two candidates for the Australian Army's armored vehicle procurement project.

In January, three Redback prototypes for testing were delivered to the Australian Army, and final tests and evaluations on firepower, mobility, maintenance, and transport are underway. The preferred negotiation partner is expected to be announced in the first quarter of next year.

Hanwha Defense plans to lend one of the Redback prototypes transported back to Korea after the Australian Army's evaluation to the Army free of charge. During the pilot operation period, the Army pilot unit will conduct equipment operation training, off-base road driving training, small unit combat skills training, and field driving training.

Through the pilot operation, the Army is expected to assess the core technologies and performance of the Redback and evaluate its potential use as the next-generation infantry fighting vehicle.

Named after the redback spider native to Australia, Redback is a 5th-generation infantry fighting vehicle developed by Hanwha Defense in cooperation with global defense companies from Israel, Australia, and Canada. To enhance mobility, it is equipped with rubber tracks from SOUCY, a Canadian armored vehicle rubber track developer. The weight is reduced by more than 50% compared to steel tracks.

It applies Israel's Iron Fist active protection system. The active protection device uses an Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar to detect and track enemy anti-tank missiles and fires intercept missiles to neutralize them. It is equipped with a 30mm main gun and a 7.62mm machine gun, and a 'hybrid turret' capable of launching anti-tank missiles is planned to be installed.

Hanwha Defense explained that if a thermal camouflage net is installed on the vehicle, it can transform into a stealth vehicle capable of evading detection by enemy thermal surveillance equipment as well as avoiding attacks by heat-seeking missiles.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.