Hanwha Defense Australia has signed an approximately $4 billion contract with the Commonwealth for the delivery of 129 AS21 Redback Infantry Fighting Vehicles (IFVs). The program will see all 129 vehicles manufactured in Australia, with vehicle deliveries to begin in 2027 and have the fleet delivered in full by 2028. A series of eight prototype vehicles will also be manufactured in both South Korea and Australia as the program develops.
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Hanwha AS21 Redback IFV Infantry Fighting Vehicle during evaluation tests in Australia (Picture source: Australian MoD)
The contract includes the development and delivery of the training system components and support system components until Final Acceptance in 2029, with an initial support contract in place for the first five years following delivery. “Hanwha Aerospace is pleased to see the contract for the Redback IFV now in place to deliver this world-leading capability,” Jae-il Son, President and CEO of Hanwha Aerospace said. “The order represents a further strengthening of the Hanwha presence in Australia next to the AS9 and AS10 Huntsman vehicles under LAND 8116 for the Australian Defence Force. The ties between Australia and South Korea are growing rapidly and we are excited to be part of that growing relationship.”
With a down select of HDA as the preferred partner for the LAND 400 Phase 3 project announced in July 2023, the Commonwealth and HDA have worked together at speed to negotiate Army’s largest acquisition program to date. “Less than 6 months after the preferred partner announcement, HDA and Commonwealth have worked hard to deliver a contract that will see this game-changing capability delivered to protect Australian soldiers”, Richard Cho, Managing Director of HDA said. “We will be manufacturing all 129 vehicles at the Hanwha Armoured Vehicle Centre of Excellence (H-ACE) facility now under construction at Geelong. Bringing back high technology vehicle manufacturing to the region is exciting not just for us but for the potential export base it provides to Australian companies.”
Commonwealth and HDA Team at the signing ceremony (Picture source: Hanwha Defense Australia)
AS21 Redback for the Australian army
The AS21 Redback is named after a highly venomous Australian spider, symbolizing its lethal capabilities and its connection to Australia. This next-generation IFV is designed to provide enhanced protection, firepower, and mobility to infantry units, aligning with the evolving requirements of modern warfare. Team Redback is a group of companies led by Hanwha Defense Australia that will deliver the best-of-breed technologies from around the world and Australia. Team Redback currently includes Electro Optic Systems, Elbit, ECLIPS, Milspec, Bisalloy, Soucy, Marand and CBG Systems and continues to expand rapidly.
Hanwha’s AS21 Redback is a next-generation IFV developed specifically for the Australian Infantry with advantages built into it from the ground up. Equipped with advanced situational awareness systems normally found on jet fighters such as see-through vision and helmet slaved systems, the Redback rides on rubber tracks that reduce noise and vibration while offering superior ride quality for its crew and the soldiers it protects.
The vehicle boasts an advanced layered protection system including Elbit’s active protection system, Plasan’s world-class armor, and a structure designed to protect occupants from the effects of a blast. All this is supported by an independent suspension system that does not use torsion bars, thus supplying more volume for innovative blast mitigation systems that remove the dependence on old-fashioned suspended footrests and other design constraints. The Redback’s Australian turret has Active Protection Systems, onboard training systems and situational awareness technology all brought together for the first time in a dedicated IFV turret designed right from the start around the infantry soldier.
Redback’s main armament is an Mk44S Bushmaster II 30mm cannon capable of firing all kinds of 30mm x 173mm ammunition in service with 19 nations, including the US, the UK, and other allies and NATO forces. The cannon fires ammunition from numerous providers, including advanced munitions such as proximity fused rounds. Every cannon is fitted with a fuse setter for programmable rounds such as programmable air burst munition and proximity fused rounds. It can also be rapidly upgraded to the 40mm Supershot by exchanging three parts, giving increased lethality without the need to modify the turret or cannon. The Redback is also armed with a 7.62mm co-axially mounted machine gun, and the Electro-Optic System’s remote weapon station can be fitted with a range of weapons including a 7.62mm machine gun, a .50calibre machine and an automatic grenade launcher.
Various technologies are showcased including an Australian-developed T2000 turret that was test-fired as part of the RMA trials. Australian-owned and operated company Electro Optic Systems has developed and will manufacture and support the T2000 turret in Australia. It combines the proven Elbit MT30 Mk2 turret with EOS’ fire control and electro-optic technology. This provides a sovereign capability to maintain and update the key turret systems in Australia.
Defense News December 2023
