Hanwha Aero Selected as Preferred Negotiation Partner for Australian Infantry Fighting Vehicle
Hanwha Aerospace's future-oriented tracked armored vehicle 'Redback' has been selected as the preferred bidder for Australia's Infantry Fighting Vehicle (IFV) acquisition project.
Hanwha Aerospace announced on the 27th that Redback was chosen as the preferred negotiation candidate among the two final candidates for the Australian Army modernization project (LAND 400 Phase 3) Infantry Fighting Vehicle.
This project aims to replace the US-made M113 armored vehicles introduced by the Australian Army in the 1960s. Once the final contract is signed, the Australian Army will sequentially deploy 129 Redbacks starting from the second half of 2027.
The Redback competed against the US General Dynamics' 'Ajax', the UK BAE Systems' 'CV90', and Germany's Rheinmetall 'Lynx'. In September 2019, Redback and Lynx were selected as the two final candidates.
Hanwha Aerospace's Redback is a weapon system planned and developed for export, leveraging the technology and experience accumulated in ground equipment such as self-propelled artillery and armored vehicles.
The government also actively supported the company in this bidding process. As part of the military trial operation of export weapon systems, the Defense Acquisition Program Administration and the Army conducted a trial operation of Redback from April to May 2022, proving its excellence in mobility, operational convenience, and tactical operation. The National Security Office also established a presidential direct ‘Defense Export Control Tower’ to support exports.
If this contract is finalized, Redback will be produced at the factory (H-ACE) under construction in Geelong, Victoria, Australia. H-ACE is the facility producing Hanwha Aerospace’s Australian version of the K9 self-propelled howitzer, the Huntsman AS9, and the ammunition carrier AS10, scheduled for completion in 2024.
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Kim Dong-kwan, Vice Chairman of Hanwha Group, stated, "As a leading defense company representing Korea, we expect to contribute to world peace and international affairs by strengthening the national security of allied countries," adding, "We will lead the overseas expansion of K-defense through continuous investment and research and development."
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