Hanwha Defense Australia has been awarded a $1 billion defence contract by the Federal Government for new Self-Propelled Howitzers for the Australian Army.
Under the $1 billion LAND 8116 program, Hanwha will establish its advanced manufacturing facility – the Hanwha Armoured Vehicle Centre of Excellence – in the greater Geelong region to produce a fleet of locally built and maintained self-propelled howitzers for the Army.
Hanwha, which is also one of the final two bidders to deliver the Government’s Land 400 Phase 3 Infantry Fighting Vehicle program in Victoria, is South Korea’s largest defence company also operating in aerospace, fintech, mining and clean energy.
Hanwha Defense Australia was set up in 2019 and is based in Melbourne.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison, who wtinessed the contract signing alongside his Korean counterpart Moon Jae-in, said supply chain businesses would directly benefit from working with Hanwha and their global partners, generating more local jobs, investment and export opportunities.
“We are partnering with Hanwha to create an Armoured Vehicle Centre of Excellence in the Geelong region, which will establish a further strategic defence industry hub and future export opportunities for Australian businesses,” Mr Morisson said.
“This contract will create a minimum of 300 jobs spread across facility construction, acquisition and maintenance, as well as generating ongoing support opportunities for Australian industry until the late 2040s.
The initial contract includes 30 Self-Propelled Howitzers, 15 Armoured Ammunition Resupply Vehicles, and weapon locating radars that are collectively referred to as “the Huntsman family of vehicles”.
Victorian Minister for Industry Support and Recovery Martin Pakula congratulated Hanwha Defense Australia on its successful bid to deliver the Commonwealth’s LAND 8116 program in Victoria.
“Victoria is the manufacturing state and this project will further boost our capabilities, creating hundreds of jobs and delivering benefits across the supply chain,” Minister Pakula said.
“This decision reinforces the strength of Victorian advanced manufacturing and the skill of our workers.”
