Hanwha Aerospace announced that it has completed the construction of the Hanwha Armoured Vehicle Centre of Excellence (H-ACE) in Geelong, Australia. This marks the first overseas production base established by a Korean defence company.
“This facility represents Hanwha’s commitment to Geelong, Victoria, and Australia, demonstrating that the company is focused on the future of programs in this region, including howitzers, vehicles and other technological advancements beyond our current initiatives,” said Jae-il Son, CEO and President of Hanwha Aerospace. “H- ACE is a significant part of our global defense supply chain, further strengthening the relationship between Australia and Korea. We will continue to collaborate with Australian companies and work towards integrating more of them into our global supply networks.”
The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence Richard Marles, South Korea’s DAPA Minister Jong-gun Seok, Chief of Army Lieutenant General Simon Stuart, and Head of Land Capability Major General Richard Vagg participated in the formal opening ceremony of H-ACE, along with other dignitaries from around the world. This facility is expected to strengthen the relationship between Australia and South Korea, bringing high-technology vehicle manufacturing back to the Geelong region.
H-ACE is set to initiate the production of the AS9 Self-Propelled Howitzer and the AS10 Armoured Ammunition Resupply Vehicle. The goal is to supply 30 and 15 units of each, respectively, to the Australian Army. Moreover, the Redback Infantry Fighting Vehicle, which has secured a supply contract for 129 units, will be manufactured at H-ACE, following the successful delivery of prototype products after 2026.
Hanwha Aerospace is accelerating its entry into the AUKUS markets through the completion of the Australian factory. As demand for defence products increases in the Indo-Pacific region due to geopolitical crises, efforts are being made to utilise H-ACE as a production base not only for Australia but also for major allied countries.
The H-ACE facility, built on a site of approximately 150,000 square meters, includes a total of 11 facilities including the main building, production building, assembly plant, driving test site, and shooting range. Located an hour’s drive from Melbourne and 10 minutes from Avalon Airport, the area’s accessibility provides logistical and hiring advantages.
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May the factory continue to receive plenty of work, preferably in the form of additional orders for the AS9, AS10 and AS21 from the MoD.
Hopefully.