26 Jul 23. The Australian government has formally revealed the long awaited winner of the multi-billion dollar LAND 400 Phase 3 program which will transform the Army’s combined arms combat capabilities. Defence Connect reported that Hanwha Defense Australia has been successful in their bid to provide the Australian Army with a fleet of 129 infantry fighting vehicles as part of the long running LAND 400 Phase 3 program. The fleet of vehicles will be manufactured in Australia at the company’s AU$170m dollar Geelong plant and has long been billed as a secondary supply source for South Korea should the relationship with its Communist neighbour deteriorate into conflict. It is understood that the Redback performed marginally better than its German competitor, the KF-41 Lynx, with Defence deferring the decision ultimately to Government as both vehicles were deemed “suitable” for Defence’s requirements. This long running selection process was subject to a recent cut as a result of findings in the Albanese Government’s Defence Strategic Review, which saw the program scaled back from up to 450 vehicles to just 129 vehicles as part of a larger ‘reprioritisation’ of Army investment and reorientation of capability.
Hanwha’s Redback is a next-generation IFV developed specifically for the Australian Infantryman with advantages literally built into it from the ground up.
Equipped with advanced situational awareness systems normally found on jet fighters such as see through vision and helmet slaved systems, the Redback rides on rubber tracks that reduce noise and vibration while offering superior ride quality for its crew and the soldiers it protects
The vehicle boasts an advanced layered protection system including Elbit’s active protection system, Plasan’s world-class armour and a structure designed to protect occupants from the effects of blast. All this is supported by an independent suspension system which does not use torsion bars thus supplying more space for innovative blast mitigation systems which remove the dependence on old fashioned suspended footrests and other design constraints.
Redback’s main armament is a Mk44S Bushmaster II 30mm cannon capable of firing all natures of 30mm x 173mm ammunition in service with 19 nations, including the US, the UK, and other allies and NATO forces. The cannon fires ammunition from numerous providers, including advanced munitions such as proximity fused rounds. Every cannon is fitted with a fuse setter for programmable rounds such as programmable air burst munition and proximity fused rounds. It can also be rapidly upgraded to the 40mm Supershot by exchanging three parts, giving increased lethality without the need to modify the turret or cannon.
The Redback is also armed with a 7.62mm co-axially mounted machine gun, and the Electro Optic System’s remote weapons station can be fitted with a range of weapons including 7.62mm machine gun, .50 calibre machine and an automatic grenade launcher.
Hanwha has focused their integration efforts on improving interoperability between high-tech components while maximising protection, utility and vision for the crew.
According to the PricewaterhouseCoopers report commissioned by Hanwha in 2021, the company’s LAND 400 Phase 3 Australian industry capability package will generate $9bn in total economic impacts across Australia with $5.7bn generated in Victoria. (Source: Defence Connect)
BATTLESPACE Comment: This is a key win for Hanwha against the strong industrial might of Rheinmetall, which clearly demonstrates the technical prowess of Redback over Lynx in Trials. Unconfirmed sources suggest that the Lynx suffered a number of engine fires during the Trials as well as Lance turret issues. The engine is a commercial engine modified for military use. The Lynx KF41 features the latest generation of propulsion technology with an 850 kW (1140hp) Liebherr engine and a proven Renk transmission. A flexible suspension system has been developed by Supashock, an Australian company, meaning the Lynx can be configured to carry various mission kits and survivability packages without compromising mobility. When configured for mounted combat operations with the Lance 2.0 turret and a survivability package suitable for peer-on-peer combat, the Lynx KF41 weighs approximately 44 tonnes. In this configuration it provides class leading mobility due the high power-to-weight ratio of 26 hp/t, while still leaving up to six tonnes of reserve payload for future growth. Other militaries, particularly the British Army will be looking at the detail of the winning bid as they prepare for new fleets of APCs.
The British Army is extending Warrior to 2035 as an Out Of Service Date, so the hunt for a replacement will be evident at DSEI. Hanwha are believed to have discussed Redback with Army HQ in 2020 to build a Hanwha industrial presence alongside the K9 Thunder bid for MFP; Team Thunder will likely be involved in any Redback bid. Lynx has been under consideration by DE&S at Abbey Wood for some time whilst Boxer has also been touted as a Warrior replacement but a tracked APC is needed to keep up with Challenger 3, so Tracked Boxer will also be seen as a contestant given the UK Industrial base.