Hanwha Defense to use Australian steel to produce Redback IFV and K9 howitzers.

According to information released on February 14, 2022, South Korean Company Hanwha Defense signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on February 7, 2022, with Bisalloy Steels, a specialist performance steel manufacturer and supplier headquartered in New South Wales, Australia. Under the agreement, Hanwha Defense will procure Bisalloy Steel for its signature land defense platforms, such as the Redback Infantry Fighting Vehicle (IFV) and the K9 Self-Propelled Howitzer, for exports to international markets beyond Australia.
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AS-21 Redback tracked armored IFV Infantry Fighting Vehicle during trial tests in Australia. (Picture source Australian DoD)

Bisalloy Steel is one of the Australian Industrial Capability (AIC) partner firms for Hanwha Defense Australia, which is participating in Commonwealth’s LAND 400 Phase 3 program with the Redback IFV. Both companies will also conduct joint technical analysis and development of integration of Bisally steel into the Redback and K9 for exports to the market of Europe and others.

“We’re pleased to work closely with Hanwha Defense and enter its global supply chain. Bisalloy steels capability has been proven over its 40-year history, and through working together we believe we will contribute to Hanwha’s product portfolio and its international business,” said Mr.Michael Gundy, Managing Director of Bisalloy Steels. “We look forward to expanding our business with Hanwha in the years ahead.”

Armored steels are a crucial component of army strength, while demand for establishing a secondary supply chain in critical materials is forecast to accelerate due to the pandemic and increasing security threats. The MoU between Hanwha Defense and Bisalloyprovides a practical example of how to cope with the potential supply chain risk.

“We are very excited to expand cooperation with Bisalloy Steels for international markets, as we have been delighted with Bisalloy steel’s proven quality through the performance of the Redback IFV,” said Mr. Son Jae-il, CEO and President of Hanwha Defense.

“We will explore ways to use Bisally steel further for the K9 Self-Propelled Howitzer, as well as the Redback IFV,” Mr. Son said.“Upon the recent contract with Egypt over the K9, in particular, we will review ways to utilize the Australian steel for the K9A1EGY project first.” Hanwha Defense signed a $1.6 billion contract on February 1 with the Egyptian Ministry of Defense to jointly produce the K9 and other support vehicles.

Artist rendering of AS9 Huntsman 155mm tracked self-propelled howitzer. (Picture source The Australian website)

In December 2021, Hanwha Defense has signed a $720 million contract with Hanwha Defense Australia for the supply of 30 K9 155 mm tracked self-propelled howitzers (SPHs) and 15 AS10 tracked armored ammunition resupply vehicles (AARVs), Australia is the seventh country to purchase the South Korean-made 155mm tracked howitzer. South Korea has exported around 600 units of the K-9 artillery guns to Turkey, Poland, India, Norway, Finland, and Estonia.

The Australian K9 will be manufactured according to specific requirements of the Australian Army under the name of AS9 Huntsman. According to Hanwha Defense, the AS9 Huntsman will have additional armor and improved suspension but it will keep the same armament. 

The K9 Thunder is a South Korean Self-Propelled 155 mm Howitzer (SPH) developed by Samsung Techwin and now manufactured by the company Hanwha Land Systems. The main armament of the K9 Thunder consists of a 155 mm/52 caliber ordnance with a maximum firing range of 40 km. A total of 48 projectiles and their associated charges are carried for ready use.

The AS-21 Redback is a tracked armored IFV (Infantry Fighting Vehicle) proposed by the South Korean company Hanwha Defense for the Australian Army’s LAND 400 Phase 3 IFV program to replace the M113A4 tracked armored APC (Armored Personnel Carrier) in service with the Australian army. 

The AS-21 Redback is a new generation of IFV based on tracked armored chassis fully designed and developed in South Korea. The vehicle offers a high level of protection and mobility thanks to the use of the latest technologies of the South Korean Defense Industry.