The Australian Government has signed contracts with Hanwha Defense Australia to deliver and support 129 locally built AS21 Redback infantry fighting vehicles for the Australian Army. The total value of project is approximately $7 billion dollars, representing the single largest investment in Army capability to date. The combined value of the acquisition and initial support contracts is approximately $4.5 billion dollars. The Redback infantry fighting vehicles will be built at Hanwha Defense Australia’s state-of-the-art facility in Avalon, Greater Geelong, Victoria delivering hundreds of jobs to the local community. Independent analysis forecasts that at the peak of its build, this project is expected to support approximately 2,100 jobs inclusive of 1,800 direct jobs. As announced in July, the Australian Government is accelerating the delivery of the Redback infantry fighting vehicles, with the first vehicle to be delivered in 2027.
The Minister for Defence Industry, Pat Conroy: “The Albanese Government is committed to investing in Australian defence industry so we can make the critical defence equipment we need in this country and develop our sovereign capability. This investment demonstrates Government’s commitment to delivering on the Defence Strategic Review, transforming our Army through the delivery of landing craft, long-range fires, and the Redback infantry fighting vehicles.”
The Deputy Prime Minister, Richard Marles said:“This is an important project for the Australian Army that will be delivered by highly skilled workers in Greater Geelong and other centres of Australian manufacturing. 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.”
This is two years earlier than the former Government planned, with the final vehicle set to be delivered in late 2028. Entering into production and support contracts is another step towards Army’s transformation to meet our changing strategic circumstances. The acquisition of these infantry fighting vehicles is part of the Government’s drive to modernise the Australian Army to ensure it can respond to the most demanding land challenges in the region. The infantry fighting vehicles will be delivered at around the same time as the new HIMARS missile systems and Army Landing Craft – reflecting the Defence Strategic Review’s call for Army to be transformed for littoral manoeuvre operations from Australia. The infantry fighting vehicles will be operated by the 3rd Armoured Combat Brigade in Townsville. The project will provide a significant economic boost to Australian defence industry and manufacturing capabilities, with over 90 Australian companies expected to contribute to the Redback’s local build.
AS21 Redback is an advanced infantry fighting vehicle (IFV) being proposed by South Korean firm Hanwha Defense for the Australian Army. The Redback weighs 42 tons and is powered by a MTU America MT881 Ka-500 diesel with an Alison transmission. It has a maximum range of 525 km (326 mi) and a top speed of 65 km/h (40 mph). It can carry eight passengers and has a crew of three. The Redback has a Soucy Defense single piece composite rubber track. The Australian designed EOS T-2000 turret based on the Elbit MT30 Mk 2 features an ATK Mark 44S Bushmaster II 30mm auto canon, fitted with a two round Rafael Spike LR2 anti-tank guided missile (ATGM) system, a EOS R400 Remote Weapons Station (RWS) and a coaxial mounted MAG58 7.62mm machinegun.[18][14] The Redback is equipped with the Elbit Iron Fist active protection system (APS) and a Elbit Iron vision system that provides the crew with a 360 degree view. The Redback is protected by Plasan armour. Originally 450 vehicles were planned to be acquired to replace Australia’s M113AS4 APCs on a one-for-one basis.
