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Elbit Systems has been awarded a AU$600 million contract to supply key systems to Hanwha Defense Australia as it delivers the AS21 Redback infantry fighting vehicle to the Australian Army.
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The five-year deal will see Elbit Systems deliver advanced protection systems, along with a sensor suite, namely the IronVision system and fighting capabilities to the Australian Army’s fleet of 129 Redback infantry fighting vehicles (IFV).
Bezhalel (Butzi) Machlis, president and chief executive officer of Elbit Systems, welcomed the contract announcement, saying, “This milestone reaffirms our commitment to delivering advanced, mission-critical solutions to the Australian Army. Elbit Systems is dedicated to supplying cutting-edge defence technologies that will safeguard troops on the modern battlefield.”
The signing of this contract comes following the signing of the $7 billion contract between the Commonwealth and Hanwha Defence Australia in December 2023.
The vehicle boasts an advanced layered protection system including Elbit’s IronVision system and active protection system, Plasan’s world-class armour, and a structure designed to protect occupants from the effects of blast.
Richard Cho, Managing Director of Hanwha Defence Australia said of the IronVision system at the time of the contract signing, “The Iron Vision system that allows the Redback’s crew to effectively look through the hull of the vehicle as though it isn’t there is an absolute game changer when it comes to operating heavy armoured vehicles in close company with dismounted troops.”
IronVision provides a "see-through" head-mounted display, providing full 360-degree situational awareness under closed hatches of the armoured vehicles, improving operational efficiency, reducing crew response time, while providing cost-effective, lightweight, and compact designs.
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.
The Australian Army will acquire a fleet of 129 Redback infantry fighting vehicles, scaled back from the original 450 vehicles proposed in the original request outlined in the 2020 Defence Strategic Update and Force Structure Plans.
Australia’s fleet of 129 infantry fighting vehicles will be manufactured in Australia at the AU$170 million specialist Hanwha Defense Australia facility, which will also be responsible for delivering the Australian Army’s future AS9 Huntsman 155mm self-propelled howitzers.
The government highlighted an accelerated delivery timeline for the program, with the first vehicle to be delivered in early 2027, two years earlier than the former government had planned, while the final vehicle is expected to be delivered by late 2028.
According to a PricewaterhouseCoopers report commissioned by Hanwha in 2021, the company’s LAND 400 Phase 3 Australian industry capability package will generate $9 billion in total economic impacts across Australia with $5.7 billion generated in Victoria.
Stephen Kuper
Steve has an extensive career across government, defence industry and advocacy, having previously worked for cabinet ministers at both Federal and State levels.
