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Hanwha adds Penske Australia as subcontractor on Redback IFV
In July 2023, Hanwha defeated Rheinmetall for a contract worth an estimated $5-7 billion AUD to deliver 129 IFV replacements for the country’s aging M113 fleet.
A Redback infantry fighting vehicle on display in Canberra. Army will take delivery of 129 of the vehicles, to be built in Geelong. (Andrew Green via Australian Ministry of Defence)
AVALON AIR SHOW — The Australian arm of South Korean defense giant Hanwha today signed an agreement with Penske Australia for the “assembly, testing, and supply” of 129 engines for Australia’s Redback Infantry Fighting Vehicles.
The deal, signed at the Avalon Air Show (where, despite the name, land vehicles were in attendance) is the next step in the Australian military’s LAND 400 Phase 3 effort to get Redbacks into service for its soldiers.
Under the deal, Penske will handle local assembly the Rolls-Royce Power Systems mtu MT881-Ka500 engine, “under a technology transfer agreement with STX Engine Co of South Korea,” per a statement. One assembled and tested, those engines will be delivered to the Hanwha Armoured Vehicle Centre of Excellence (H-ACE), where the Redbacks are being produced.
“This significant agreement enhances our longstanding support of Australian Defence Force platforms, both land and sea, while further strengthening our partnership with Hanwha Defence Australia, a key industry capability provider and valued member of our global supply chain,” Hamish Christie-Johnston, managing director of Penske Australia, said in a company announcement.
“We are proud to be working with Penske to deliver the engines for LAND 400 Phase 3, and supporting both our major land programs here in Australia,” Hanwha Australia’s acting managing director Dean Michie said. “Penske has a long history of working with leading Defence companies to support the ADF and we are continuing that tradition.”
In July 2023, Hanwha defeated Rheinmetall for a contract worth an estimated $5-7 billion AUD ($3.2-4.4 billion USD) to deliver 129 IFV replacements for the country’s aging M113 fleet.
Other announced subcontractors on the Redback include Israel’s Elbit, which is making “advanced protection, fighting capabilities and a sensors suit” for the vehicle, and Advanced Navigation, a Australian company providing inertial guidance systems.
