South Korean defense firm signs $2.4 billion contract with Australia for infantry fighting vehicles

Asia-Pacific, News December 9, 2023 , by IRIA No Comments

South Korean defense manufacturing firm, Hanwha Aerospace, announced signing a contract with Australia worth $2.4 billion. Under the contract, Hanwha would provide 129 Redback infantry fighting vehicles (IVF) to the Australian military by 2028.

The contract, signed on December 8, is a part of the Australian government’s $4.6 billion LAND 400 military procurement project. Australia had picked South Korea’s Hanwha Aerospace as a preferred bid for a military procurement project in July this year after assessing offers from several defense manufacturers including Rheinmetall Defense.

“These vehicles will play an enormous role in improving the capability of our army, the capability of our defense force,” Australia’s Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Richard Marles told a news conference in Geelong, Australia, where the vehicles will be manufactured.

The Redback infantry fighting vehicles will be built at Hanwha Defense Australia’s state-of-the-art facility in Avalon, Greater Geelong in the Australian state of Victoria. The first vehicles would be produced in the new facility by 2027. This makes the delivery two years earlier than the original plan.

South Korea's Hanwha Aerospace signed a contract with Australia — *^{South Korea’s Hanwha Aerospace signed a contract with Australia to supply 129 Redback infantry fighting vehicles by 2028 in $2.4 billion deal. (Image Credit: Australian Defense Minister)}*

Marles said that the project would generate 2,100 jobs, including 1,800 direct jobs for Australian citizens. He also added that over 90 Australian companies are expected to contribute to the local manufacturing of the Redback vehicles, providing a significant economic boost to the Australian defense industry and manufacturing capabilities.

“This is an important project for the Australian Army that will be delivered by highly skilled workers in Greater Geelong and other centers of Australian manufacturing,” he said. “This is a significant investment that will properly equip the Army so it can keep Australians safe. This is another part of our plan for a future built in Australia”.

Hanwha Redback IVF

Hanwha’s Redback is an advanced Infantry Fighting Vehicle (IFV) that was first unveiled in 2019 at the Seoul International Aerospace & Defense Exhibition. With cutting-edge technology and a robust design, the Redback is engineered to meet the evolving needs of modern warfare, offering a versatile and formidable platform for infantry support and maneuverability.

The vehicle features powerful main armament, typically featuring a 30mm automatic cannon, providing accurate and lethal firepower against a variety of targets. It is designed to engage and defeat armored threats with precision-guided munitions and anti-tank-guided missiles.

Hanwha Redback Infantry Fighting Vehicles (IFVs) — *^{The Redback Infantry Fighting Vehicle (IFV) is manufactured by South Korea’s Hanwha Aerospace. (Image Credit: Hanwha Aerospace)}*

The Redback vehicles are also equipped with an advanced command and control system, facilitating seamless communication between vehicles and integration into broader military networks.

It requires an operating crew of three people, which consists of a commander gunner, and driver, while it can carry a weight of 6,000kg, which includes weapons, missiles, APS, remote weapon station (RWS), and full ammunition load.

South Korea’s largest aerospace and defense company, Hanwha Aerospace, is renowned for its land combat vehicles such as the world-renowned K9 Self-Propelled Howitzer and the Redback Infantry Fighting Vehicle, as well as other weapons systems, munitions, aircraft engine parts, and technology products.