Avalon-based Hanwha offers ‘comfort, protection’ to soldiers in bid for defence contract

A Geelong-based manufacturer in the running to produce Australia’s next armoured transport reveals how its offering stands out.

The Redback Infantry Fighting Vehicle (IFV), developed by Hanwha Defense. The company says the Redback will give soldiers better comfort, protection and scope to integrate with allies.

A high-end manufacturer in the running to produce cannon-topped, armoured transport vehicles, to be based at Avalon, says its offering will give soldiers better comfort, protection and scope to integrate with allies.

Hanwha Defence Australia is vying for the multi-billion-dollar-contract which is likely to be the army’s most expensive procurement to date.

The federal government is currently considering who will be awarded the project.

Hanwha, one of two companies short-listed to manufacture up to 450 infantry fighting vehicles, said the rubber tracks on its Redback vehicle, the cannon’s ammunition and iron-fist defence system meant the vehicle was a front runner for the project.

The Redback, a 40-tonne vehicle about four-metres high, transports up to eight soldiers plus crew.

A Hanwha spokeswoman said rubber tracks used to move the vehicle provided a better experience than its competitor who used metal tracks for its vehicle.

“(ADF members) can get out of a vehicle (with rubber tracks) after a drive of many hours and they haven’t been shaken and stirred like a martini,” the spokeswoman said.

“By the time they get to the other end of their trip they are ready to get out and fight. They arrive battle-ready.

“It is a quieter and smoother ride, compared to steel tracks. They are also easier to maintain.”

“The Redback was designed from the ground up for the Australian Defence Force.”

It comes as Defence Minister and Corio MP, Richard Marles, said he “can’t commit” to a decision on the future of the contract, named Land 400 phase 3, being made before the May federal budget.

Hanwha Defence Australia Redback Infantry Fighting Vehicle (front) and Rheinmetall Defence Australia LYNX KF41 Infantry Fighting Vehicle (back), conduct LAND 400 Phase 3 user evaluation trials at Puckapunyal Military Area, Victoria.

Mr Marles’ colleague, Defence Industry Minister Pat Conroy, will be responsible for recommending to federal cabinet, of which Mr Marles is a member, if Hanwha or its competitor Rheinmetall Defence Australia, and its Lynx vehicle, are chosen for Land 400 phase 3.

Mr Marles said he would be part of the cabinet process to tick off on the company which wins the tender.

Hanwha will base Land 400 phase 3 work in Mr Marles’ electorate if successful.

“There’s obviously not a personal conflict but given that I’m the local member and there is a company based here (Hanwha) which is one of the two tenderers I thought it is the right thing to do to have Minister Conroy bring that program forward and it’s very much in his hands.

“I think it’s important for cabinet members play their role in cabinet. This is a decision process, which is being led by Minister Conroy.”

Meanwhile the Hanwha spokeswoman said it would prioritise recruiting engineering graduates from Deakin University for its $1bn self-propelled howitzer program which it will base at Avalon.

“Geelong has such a strong vehicle manufacturing background in the region with Ford for so many years. We wanted to leverage a community that is comfortable with vehicles and technology.”

The spokeswoman said “pre-planning” would allow for the rapid expansion of its Avalon operation if the company won more defence contracts.

Of the Land 400 phase 3 project, the Hanwha spokeswoman said the ammunition used for the Redback was readily used by NATO countries.

“The cannon we have on the Redback comes from Northrop Grumman Australia and is in high use by our Five Eyes partners so (ammunition) resupply can be shared.”

The Hanwha spokeswoman said the rubber tracks for the Redback would be manufactured by Victorian companies, and its vehicle defence system was automatic.

Last month Hanwha announced it signed a $4m contract with Australian engineering company HiFraser to produce an automatic fire suppression system for the howitzer project.

Hanwha’s $170m Avalon airport facility where the howitzers will be produced will be finished by the end of next year.

Originally published as Avalon-based Hanwha offers ‘comfort, protection’ to soldiers in bid for defence contract