Australia Signs Contract for Redback IFVs
The Australian government has signed contracts with Hanwha Defense Australia to procure 129 locally manufactured Redback infantry fighting vehicles for the Australian Army. The contract is worth around AU$7 billion ($4.6 billion).
The Hanwha Redback was selected to fulfill the Australian Army’s Land 400-3 requirement for an IFV. The selection was announced back in July. The first vehicle is set to be delivered in 2027.
Australia’s 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.”
The vehicles will be manufactured at Hanwha Defense Australia’s factory in Avalon, Greater Geelong, Victoria and over 90 Australian companies expected to contribute to the Redback project.
The acquisition of the Redback infantry fighting vehicles is part of the Australian government’s drive to modernise the Australian Army. Minister for Defence Industry, Pat Conroy, said that the government was “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,” adding that the “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.”
Redback beat Rheinmetall’s Lynx and will replace some of Australia’s venerable M113 armored personnel carriers. A much larger order for the vehicles had been planned. But the number was reduced from 450 to 129 in April, following a strategic defense review. Redback boasts an MT881 Ka-500 diesel engine and an Australian-designed EOS T-2000 turret which has an ATK Mark 44S Bushmaster II 30mm auto canon, and two Rafael Spike LR2 anti-tank guided missiles.