[Yang Nak-gyu's Defence photo] Redback Armored Vehicle Makes First Appearance in Australia

[Asia Economy Yang Nak-gyu, Military Specialist Reporter] The infantry fighting vehicle Redback has made its debut in Australia.

According to Hanwha Defense on the 12th, the Redback, which departed from Pyeongtaek Port last July, held a public event in Melbourne, Australia, on the same day (local time). This event was held ahead of the Australian Army's test evaluation starting in February, marking the first time the actual Redback armored vehicle was unveiled locally in Australia.

Redback was selected as one of the final two candidate vehicles for Australia's 'LAND 400 Phase 3' project in 2019. Subsequently, a contract was signed to deliver three prototypes for testing and evaluation to the Australian government. The Australian Army plans to conduct test evaluations on vehicle performance, protection, firepower, operator assessment, and maintenance/transportation of Redback and competing products by the second half of this year, with the preferred bidder expected to be selected in the first half of 2022. The project budget alone is estimated to be between 14 trillion and 20 trillion KRW.

Hanwha and the state of Victoria in Australia also signed a memorandum of understanding for investment cooperation to revitalize the local economy, including the establishment of local production facilities. If the Redback local production plan is implemented, it is expected to have an economic ripple effect worth approximately 7.6 trillion KRW across Australia, including Victoria.

Named after the redback spider native to Australia, the Redback armored vehicle is a tracked armored vehicle that enhances protection and mobility by combining the proven K21 infantry fighting vehicle development technology, which has been deployed in the Korean military, with the powerpack (engine and transmission) solution of the K9 self-propelled howitzer.

It is equipped with cutting-edge sensors used in fighter jets. Inside the vehicle, by wearing a special helmet, operators can monitor the entire 360-degree surroundings outside the tank through the goggle screen with the 'Iron Vision' helmet display function. Additionally, it features the 'Iron Fist' active protection technology, which uses the active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar from advanced fighter jets to detect and intercept incoming enemy anti-tank missiles approaching the armored vehicle in advance.

By adopting a semi-active hydropneumatic suspension (ISU:), the vehicle reduces body weight while enhancing protection against mines and bullets through special armor design. It is also equipped with a 30mm turret and anti-tank missiles that integrate Australian and Israeli technologies.

Son Jae-il, CEO of Hanwha Defense, stated, "Redback is the most advanced future infantry fighting vehicle in its class, embodying Hanwha Defense's technology and know-how accumulated over the past 40 years. We are confident that it will demonstrate overwhelming technology and performance in local test evaluations, proving the excellence of K-defense and delivering a victory in the final competition for the Australian project."