Seoul [South Korea], December 8: The infantry fighting vehicles will be manufactured in the Australian state of Victoria by Hanwha Defense Australia, a subsidiary of Hanwha Aerospace.
Yonhap news agency reported on December 8 that the Australian branch of Hanwha Aerospace has just signed an agreement worth 3,100 billion won (57,547 billion VND) to sell 129 Redback infantry fighting vehicles to the Australian army.
Hanwha Defense Australia signed a contract with Australia's CASG procurement and sustainment group, according to the Defense Acquisition Program Agency (DAPA).
In July, Hanwha Defense Australia was selected as the preferred bidder for the Land 400 Phase 3 program to replace the Australian Army's M113 armored personnel carrier.
Hanwha Aerospace said the new infantry fighting vehicles will be produced in the Avalon region of Victoria and deliveries are expected from 2027-2028.
According to DAPA, this agreement marks Hanwha's second export of ground-based military equipment to Australia, after reaching an agreement to supply the country with K9 self-propelled guns in December 2021.
Australia agreed to buy 30 K9 cannons, worth 930 billion won from South Korea, becoming the largest importer of K9 cannons ever. K9 self-propelled guns have been exported more than 600 guns to 6 countries and Australia will be the 7th country.
Last year, South Korea's arms exports reached a record high of $17.9 billion, when the country signed major contracts with Poland to supply K2 tanks, K-9 self-propelled guns, and attack aircraft. light FA-50, and Chunmoo multiple rocket launcher.
South Korea's Ministry of National Defense aims to capture a 5% share of the global arms export market by 2027 to become the 4th largest defense exporter in the world.
Source: ThanhNien Newspaper
