Mass Production of AS9 Self-Propelled Howitzer and AS10 Ammunition Carrier in the Second Half of This Year
Redback Production to Begin in the Second Half of the Year After Next
Hanwha Aerospace announced on the 23rd that it has completed the H-ACE factory in Geelong, Australia, which will produce the ‘K9’ self-propelled howitzers and ‘Redback’ armored vehicles. Attending the opening ceremony were Seok Jong-geon, Administrator of the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (third from left), Richard Marles, Australian Minister for Defence (center), Simon Stuart, Chief of Army of Australia (first from left), and Son Jae-il, CEO of Hanwha Aerospace (second from right). Photo by Hanwha Aerospace
Hanwha Aerospace announced on the 23rd that it has completed a factory (H-ACE) in Geelong, Victoria, Australia, to produce self-propelled artillery and armored vehicles. H-ACE is the first overseas production base established by a Korean defense company.
Hanwha Aerospace held an opening ceremony for H-ACE in Geelong, Victoria, Australia, inviting officials from the Korean and Australian governments. Attendees included Seok Jong-geon, Administrator of the Defense Acquisition Program Administration, Richard Marles, Australian Minister for Defence, Simon Stuart, Chief of the Australian Army, and Son Jae-il, CEO of Hanwha Aerospace.
Starting in the second half of this year, Hanwha Aerospace will begin mass production of the 'AS9 self-propelled artillery' and 'AS10 ammunition resupply vehicle' at H-ACE. The AS9 and AS10 are Australian-modified models of the K9 and K10, respectively. Hanwha Aerospace plans to supply 30 AS9 units and 15 AS10 units to the Australian Army by 2027. The Redback tracked armored vehicle, for which a supply contract for 129 units was signed last year, aims to deliver prototypes in the first half of 2026 and then start mass production.
Built on a site of approximately 150,000 square meters, H-ACE consists of 11 facilities including the main building, production building, assembly hall, driving test ground, and firing range. Geelong, where H-ACE is located, is about a one-hour drive from Melbourne, the capital of Victoria, and 10 minutes from Avalon Airport. Its excellent accessibility offers logistical advantages and relatively easy workforce recruitment.
Geelong was once a region densely populated with large automobile factories such as GM and Ford. The Australian government expects that the establishment of H-ACE will serve as a catalyst for revitalizing the local economy in the mid to long term by recreating hundreds of manufacturing jobs locally.
With the establishment of H-ACE following the K9 self-propelled artillery and Redback orders, it is also expected to contribute to the economic revitalization of Changwon. Hanwha Aerospace’s partner companies in the Gyeongnam region plan to supply key components such as engines, transmissions, and drive systems to H-ACE in the future. The successful entry into the Australian market has turned on a green light for additional orders in key strategic regions such as Romania, increasing the possibility of further deliveries.
Through the completion of the Australian factory, Hanwha Aerospace is accelerating its entry into the AUKUS (security pact between the United States, Australia, and the United Kingdom) and Five Eyes (intelligence alliance among the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand) markets. With rising demand for defense products in the Indo-Pacific region due to geopolitical tensions, H-ACE is planned to be utilized as a production base not only for Australia but also for key allied countries in the future.
A Hanwha Aerospace official stated, "With the full operation of the Australian production base, we will respond seamlessly to security demands in the Indo-Pacific region and contribute to the economic revitalization of both Korea and Australia."
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