Hanwha Aerospace today announced that its subsidiary, Hanwha Defence Australia (HDA), has signed a $2.4 billion (USD) contract with the Australian government for the delivery of 129 Hanwha AS-21 Redback Infantry Fighting Vehicles (IFVs), including the development and delivery of the training system components and support system components. This contract marks a historic milestone as it represents the first instance in which a South Korean defense company has successfully developed defense solutions for the Australian Army, a member of AUKUS. This accomplishment underscores Hanwha’s technical prowess as well as its ability to forge strategic partnerships, integrating solutions to meet the evolving defense requirements. 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.
“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 soldier,” said Richard Cho, Managing Director of HDA.
“Hanwha Aerospace is pleased to see the contract for the Redback IFV now in place to deliver this world leading capability. 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,” said Jae-il Son, President and CEO of Hanwha Aerospace.
The Redback IFV is an advanced version of the K21 IFV, which is in service with the South Korean Army (ROK Army). Equipped with advanced situational awareness systems normally found on jet fighters, the Redback rides on rubber tracks that reduce noise and vibration while offering superior ride quality for its crew and the soldiers it protects. Armor of the Redback was developed in cooperation with Plasan. Hull and turret provide all-round protection from 30 mm armor-piercing rounds. This tracked vehicle was designed from the start to survive mine blasts and improvised explosive devices. It withstands blasts equivalent to 10 kg of TNT anywhere under the hull or under any track location. Crew and passengers are seated on blast energy absorbing seats. The Redback was also designed from the start to be fitted with Israeli Elbit’s Iron Fist active protection system. It defeats incoming anti-tank rockets and missiles. This new IFV has a 2-man turret with a 30 mm Mk44S Bushmaster II automatic cannon,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.
Hanwha Defense Australia (HDA), a subsidiary of Hanwha Defense, proposed a derivative of the K21 known as the AS21 Redback for the Australian Army’s Land 400 Phase 3 IFV project. Originally 450 vehicles were planned to be acquired to replace Australia’s M113AS4 APCs on a one-for-one basis, but this was reduced in April 2023 by the Defence Stragetic Review. The review recommended that the acquisition be accelerated. The first Redback is planned to be delivered in early 2027 with deliveries completed by late 2028 at an acquisition cost of between AU$5-$7 billion (US$3.4-$4.7 billion). The Redback will be built in a purpose-built Australian factory. HDA has proposed a small initial tranche be built in South Korea to meet the accelerated delivery date. The Redback IFV will be manufactured at HDA’s H-ACE which is due to open in Q3 2024. This facility is being built for the Land 8116 Phase 1 Protected Mobile Fires Program to deliver the Huntsman AS9 self-propelled howitzer and AS10 armoured ammunition resupply vehicles and will expand to support Redback in Australia plus any future international programs.
