Redback IFV marks milestone in the promotion of Australia-ROK defence industry partnership

The Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA), led by Minister Eom, Donghwan, announced on Thursday, July 27 that Hanwha Aerospace’s Redback IFV was selected as a preferred bidder for Australian Army’s Land 400 Phase 3, Land Combat Vehicle System project. Hanwha Aerospace’s Redback IFV was chosen over Germany’s Rheinmetall Lynx KF41 and became the preferred candidate for the Land 400 Phase 3, which is Australian Army’s project to acquire caterpillar IFV. “This success is attributed to our weapons system with advanced military technology, private partner’s efforts for negotiation combined with ROK President’s strong commitment to promote defence equipment export and government’s whole support,” Hanwha said. Redback armoured vehicle is a customised infantry fighting vehicle tailored to the Australian operating environment that Hanwha Aerospace developed to make advancement into the Australian market. It is already well received in the country for its functions well fitted in the operational environment and for its great performance. The ROK government also took part in the efforts for the selection of Hanwha’s IFV as the preferred bidder. The relevant authorities including DAPA, Office of National Security (NSO), Ministry of National Defense, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and ROK Army pulled together to strengthen the relations with the Australian government and emphasised that South Korea can be the best security partner for Australia. “Australia is one of the countries which fought for us during the Korean War and sent troops to the blood-shed battlefields to safeguard our people’s lives. Since then, the ROK and Australia have strengthened their partnership on various fields including national defence and defence industry at a governmental and industrial level, solidifying the bilateral partnership in the region of Indo-Pacific,” Hanwha said. If Hanwha Aerospace wins the IFV contract, Redback IFV will become the second ground weapons system in the ROK which is exported to Australia, following K9 howitzer. It is expected that the IFV export will further accelerate a complementary partnership between defence companies of Australia and the ROK and promote defence capabilities of both our nations as well as the defence industry partnership in the region. DAPA will continue to join government’s efforts—led by the NSO—to promote the export of military defence equipment as well as reinforce partnership with private partners to improve export competitiveness of our weapons systems. Eom, Donghwan, the Minister of Defense Acquisition, expressed his sincere appreciation to Australia for its help during the Korean War in keeping peace on the Korean Peninsula, in commemoration of the 70th anniversary of the Armistice agreement. He also added that he will continue best efforts for a seamless follow-up negotiation to seal a contract for the IFV, and promised his full support to expand the Australia-ROK defence industry partnership into various fields including core technologies such as ground, maritime, aviation and aerospace defence technologies and weapons systems. For Editorial Inquiries Contact: Editor Kym Bergmann at [email protected] For Advertising Inquiries Contact: Director of Sales Graham Joss at [email protected]