Hanwha Defence Australia

What Hanwha Defence Australia does

Hanwha Defence Australia Pty Ltd is a privately held Australian subsidiary of South Korea's Hanwha Defense Corporation, established in 2019 to deliver and domestically manufacture next-generation tracked armoured vehicles for the Australian Defence Force. The company serves a single end-customer, the Commonwealth of Australia, executing two flagship contracts: LAND 8116 Protected Mobile Fires (30 AS9 Huntsman self-propelled howitzers and 15 AS10 armoured ammunition resupply vehicles, valued at $0.9-1.3 billion) and LAND 400 Phase 3 (129 Redback infantry fighting vehicles, part of a $18-27 billion program). Its core product portfolio rests on the proven K9 platform family, which is operational with 11 nations and exceeds 2,400 global units, adapted for Australian conditions with locally integrated subsystems from MTU (1000 hp diesel), Allison (X1100 cross-drive transmission), Safran (MINEO and PASEO optronics), HIFraser (fire suppression), AirSense (CBRN sensors), and Kongsberg and Thales Australia components.

The company's primary manufacturing and sustainment asset is the Hanwha Armoured Vehicle Centre of Excellence (H-ACE), a $AUD 225 million purpose-built facility at Avalon Airport near Geelong, Victoria, spanning 32,000 sqm with two production halls, a 1.2 km test track, the largest EMI/EMC chamber in the Southern Hemisphere, and parallel production capability for Huntsman and Redback fleets. The facility delivered its first Australian-made AS9s in February 2026 and Stage 2 was handed over in March 2026 ahead of schedule, creating a domestic industrial base supported by more than 20 Australian suppliers.

Hanwha Defence Australia operates a direct-to-government enterprise sales model through formal Australian Department of Defence procurement, with no third-party distribution. Revenue is generated primarily from hardware sales (vehicle delivery contracts) with a forward-looking managed services tail from future maintenance, repair, overhaul and upgrade (MRO/U) work, including a deep-maintenance hub for Allison X1100 transmissions. The company is positioned as the preeminent prime contractor in Australia's tracked armoured vehicle sector, with K-9 user community engagement, Five Eyes interoperability alignment, and a geographic expansion of its CEO remit into the UK and Europe as of 2025.

Name

Hanwha Defence Australia

Legal name

Hanwha Defence Australia Pty Ltd

Website

https://hanwha-defence.com.au

Company type

Private

Founded year

2019

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Hanwha Defence Australia is a wholly-owned subsidiary of South Korea's Hanwha Defense Corporation that manufactures tracked armoured vehicles — the Redback IFV and Huntsman self-propelled howitzer family — for the Australian Defence Force under the LAND 400 Phase 3 and LAND 8116 contracts, producing them domestically at its $225M AUD H-ACE facility in Geelong.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Defence Vehicle Manufacturing

NAICS

Military Armored Vehicle, Tank, and Tank Component Manufacturing (336992)

SIC

Miscellaneous Transportation Equipment (3790)

akta.pro primary industry

Infantry Fighting Vehicles (IFVs) (IMABAJAB)

akta.pro secondary industry

Self-Propelled Artillery & Armored Fire Support Vehicles (IMABAJAE)

Keywords

• Armoured fighting vehicles
• Military vehicle manufacturing
• Defence prime contracting
• Infantry fighting vehicles
• Self-propelled howitzers

Headquarters

HQ city

Melbourne

HQ country

Australia

HQ region

Oceania

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Personnel, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Defence Equipment Manufacturing: Manufacturing and supply of armoured vehicles (AS9, AS10, Redback) to the Australian Defence Force through government defence contracts. Revenue from initial vehicle delivery and ongoing sustainment.
2. Maintenance, Repair, Overhaul and Upgrade (MRO/U): Future MRO/U work and deep-maintenance hub for armoured vehicles including Allison X1100 transmissions, creating ongoing revenue streams post-delivery.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Hanwha Defence Australia manufactures next-generation tracked armoured vehicles for the Australian Defence Force, including the Redback Infantry Fighting Vehicle (129 units under LAND 400 Phase 3) and the Huntsman family comprising the AS9 Self-Propelled Howitzer and AS10 Armoured Ammunition Resupply Vehicle (30 AS9 and 15 AS10 units under LAND 8116 Phase 1). Production occurs domestically at the H-ACE facility in Geelong, Victoria, with multi-decade sustainment and MRO/U services following initial delivery.

Product overview

Hanwha Defence Australia operates as a sovereign defence capability builder, delivering a portfolio of next-generation tracked armoured vehicles for the Australian Defence Force (ADF). Its core product portfolio comprises the Redback Infantry Fighting Vehicle (IFV) — a 129-vehicle fleet under LAND 400 Phase 3 manufactured domestically at H-ACE — and the Huntsman Family of Vehicles under LAND 8116 Phase 1, consisting of the AS9 Self-Propelled Howitzer (SPH) and AS10 Armoured Ammunition Resupply Vehicle (AARV), both also manufactured at H-ACE. H-ACE (Hanwha Armoured Vehicle Centre of Excellence) serves as the company's domestic manufacturing hub, purpose-built in Geelong, Victoria, enabling parallel production lines for both vehicle families alongside testing, training, and maintenance capabilities. As a prime defence contractor, HDA integrates Australian and South Korean technology to deliver cutting-edge capability to the ADF.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• H-ACE: Hanwha Armoured Vehicle Centre of Excellence - manufacturing facility at Avalon Airport precinct near Geelong, Victoria.

Products and services

• Redback Infantry Fighting Vehicle (IFV) The Redback is a tracked Infantry Fighting Vehicle selected for Australia's LAND 400 Phase 3 program. A fleet of 129 vehicles is being manufactured domestically at H-ACE in Geelong, Victoria, for the Australian Army. It features advanced protection systems, network integration, and is powered by a 1000hp MTU MT881Ka-500 diesel engine with Allison X1100 cross-drive transmission.
• Huntsman Self-Propelled Howitzer (AS9 SPH) The AS9 Huntsman is a Self-Propelled Howitzer equipped with a proven 52-calibre 155mm gun system developed for Australia, incorporating learnings from the global fleet of over 2,400 K9 vehicles in service with 11 nations including NATO. It features an automated fire control system delivering first shot in under 60 seconds, 3 rounds within 15 seconds, and 6–8 rounds per minute sustained fire.
• AS10 Huntsman Armoured Ammunition Resupply Vehicle (AARV) The AS10 is a highly protected and manoeuvrable Armoured Ammunition Resupply Vehicle with a unique loading system that reduces risk to soldiers from enemy fire while protecting long-term soldier health and fitness. It resupplies ammunition to the AS9 SPH and forms part of the Huntsman family of vehicles delivered under LAND 8116 Phase 1.
• Hanwha Armoured Vehicle Centre of Excellence (H-ACE) Manufacturing Services H-ACE is Hanwha Defence Australia's purpose-built armoured vehicle manufacturing facility at the Avalon Airport Precinct in Geelong, Victoria. Total investment nearly $AUD 225 million across Stage 1 and Stage 2; facility spans 32,000 sqm with two production halls, a 1.2 km test track, EMI/EMC chamber (largest in Southern Hemisphere), heavy washdown facility, paint shop, systems integration lab, workshop and finished product store. Enables parallel production lines for Huntsman and Redback vehicles plus future MRO/U and deep-maintenance work.

Quantifiable outcome

• First Australian-made AS9s delivered February 2026
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

18 partnerships are on record, tiered core, minor and strategic.

• KapitolcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 13 March 2026Construction partner for Stage 2 H-ACE expansion, delivering second production hall, EMI/EMC chamber, heavy washdown facility ahead of schedule by a month.
• Visionary MachinesminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 26 March 2025MoU signed with Hanwha Systems for advanced technology collaboration.
• GME (Gage Brothers)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 25 March 2025Teaming agreement for Defence communications programs, building on December 2024 MilCIS MoU.
• Deakin UniversitystrategicStrategic or Co-development Partner · 13 September 2024Updated MoU signed at Land Forces 2024. Deakin's ManuFutures hub hosts Science and Engineering Challenge. HDA collaborates with university on research and workforce development.
• AMSL AerominorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 12 September 2024Partnership Agreement signed at Land Forces 2024 for defence aviation collaboration.
• Gilmour SpaceminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 12 September 2024MoU signed at Land Forces 2024 with Hanwha Aerospace for space-related defence technology collaboration.
• HIFrasercoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 21 February 2023$4.4 million contract for Automatic Fire Suppression System for Huntsman family of vehicles. Technology transfer from Korean OEM DNB. HIFraser manufactures system for Batch 2 vehicles onwards in Australia, conducting validation and verification testing.
• MMCLD (MMC Learning and Development)coreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 31 January 2023Training contract for Computer Based Training (CBT) for LAND 8116. Delivers courses to Operators and Maintainers of ADF, sequenced with vehicle batch deliveries between 2026-2028.
• Safran Electronics & Defense Australasia (SEDA)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 4 October 2022$5 million contract for 32 MINEO Direct Fire Support Systems (DFSS) for LAND 8116 Huntsman vehicles. First Safran optronic system onboard an Australian Army vehicle. Combines colour day and thermal imaging with laser range finder in a single compact unit.
• BuiltcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 28 September 2022National construction group selected for design and construction of H-ACE facility. Using local Geelong companies where feasible to deliver state-of-the-art 32,000 sqm facility.
• ConsciacoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 28 September 2022Australian veteran-owned small business acting as contract manager for H-ACE project. Four-pillar management consulting: projects, advisory, capability, and incubator services.
• Penske AustraliacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 31 March 2022Penske Australia assembles MTU engines and Allison transmissions, integrating them locally into complete powerpacks for the Redback IFV. They embed specialist technicians within HDA's manufacturing facility and conduct local assembly/testing of Allison X1100 series cross-drive transmission. Creates local deep-maintenance hub for X1100 Allison units.
• ElphinstonecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAustralian manufacturer contracted for Redback hull production. Dale Elphinstone visible in production line photos. Local manufacturing contributing to sovereign capability.
• Soldier OnminorOthersPlatinum level supporter of Australia's leading ex-services not for profit organisation. Supports current and former ADF personnel and families through fundraising, awareness campaigns, and March On Challenge participation. Raised over $40,000 over four years.
• Geelong Kokoda Youth ProgramminorOthersSponsors two students and two staff annually for the 96km Kokoda Trek. Mentors assist students throughout the year-long program honouring Kokoda Pillars of Courage, Endurance, Mateship and Sacrifice.
• Science and Engineering Challenge (Geelong)minorOthersGold Sponsor for the two-day STEM event at Deakin University's ManuFutures hub. Attended by 400+ Year 10 students from 14 schools. Aims to ignite student interest in science, engineering, technology and mathematics.
• Kongsberg Defence AustraliacoreTechnology or IntegrationAustralian supply chain partner for Huntsman vehicles. Part of 20+ Australian companies in HDA's local supply chain.
• Thales AustraliacoreTechnology or IntegrationAustralian supply chain partner for Huntsman vehicles. Part of 20+ Australian companies in HDA's local supply chain.

Scale indicators15 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• KNDS: European land systems prime (Leopard 2, Boxer, ASCOD/Lynx). A leading Western armoured vehicle prime that competes against Hanwha platforms in NATO tenders and could enter Australian recompetes.
• General Dynamics Land Systems: US-based prime and global leader in tracked armoured vehicles (M1 Abrams, Stryker, Ajax). Through GDLS-Australia competes for armoured vehicle programs and is a comparable Western prime with established allied credentials.
• Thales Australia: Australian defence prime providing Bushmaster PMVs and integrated vehicle electronics; one of HDA's own supply chain partners. Adjacent competitor for vehicle-related ADF programs and electronics integration.
• Lockheed Martin Australia: Global defence prime with growing Australian footprint across land, air, and sustainment. Could compete for adjacent armoured vehicle electronics, vehicle-system integration, or follow-on ADF programs.

Direct peers

• BAE Systems Australia: Operates the M113 armoured vehicle sustainment line and is positioned in Australia's armoured vehicle industrial base with deep Commonwealth relationships. Competes with HDA on tracked armoured vehicle sustainment and follow-on armoured programs.
• Hanwha Defense (South Korea): Parent company of HDA and originator of the K9 SPH and Redback IFV platforms. Provides HDA's technology, IP, and capital; competes globally (notably with Poland, Egypt, India) on the same platforms HDA produces in Australia.
• Rheinmetall Defence Australia: Rival prime on Australia's LAND 400 Phase 3 IFV program (Lynx IFV) and major supplier of Boxer CRVs and other armoured vehicles to the ADF. Direct head-to-head competitor to HDA in the Australian tracked and wheeled armoured vehicle market.

Emerging players

• Elbit Systems: Israeli defence electronics and vehicle system integrator active in Australia (e.g., REDBACK electronics competitor bids in past). Comparable as a technology integrator bidding to supply subsystems and complete platforms into the Australian market.
• Arquus (formerly Renault Trucks Defense): French tactical and armoured vehicle manufacturer supplying allied forces. Comparable as a specialist European armoured vehicle peer competing in the global tracked/wheeled armoured vehicle market that HDA also targets.
• Patria: Finnish/Norwegian armoured vehicle manufacturer (AMV XP, 6x6 platform). Increasingly active in Australia and allied markets; competes for modular armoured vehicle programs comparable to Australian IFV/AFV requirements.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@hanwhadefenceaustralia
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/hanwha-defence-australia

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Hanwha Defence Australia