Hanwha Defense Australia led ‘Team Redback’ has officially launched its LAND 400 Phase 3 Infantry Fighting Vehicle, the Redback, in Australia ahead of trials as part of a Risk Mitigation Activity being conducted by the Capability Acquisition and Sustainment Group as part of a tender process.

The armoured steel protection for the Redback, which is named after a venomous spider found in Australia, has been manufactured and supplied by Australian based Bisalloy Steel from the company’s plant in Unanderra, just south of Sydney.

Hanwha and Bisalloy have been working diligently in the background to achieve a significant milestone for Australian Defence Industry. All Hanwha Redback vehicles, including the turrets, to be delivered for the LAND 400 Phase 3 evaluation program are made of Bisalloy steel. From detailed design, qualification, and testing, Bisalloy has been a part of the process.

“I am proud to be able to offer the Commonwealth of Australia a world class armoured vehicle made from Australian steel,” said Mr Richard Cho, Managing Director of Hanwha Defense Australia. “Hanwha and Bisalloy have worked hand-in-glove to make sure that the class leading Redback Infantry Fighting Vehicle is made from the best possible steel.”

“Bisalloy has a long and successful track record in supplying top quality steel for defence applications,” said Mr Glenn Cooper Bisalloy Group Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director. “It has been a great experience to work with Hanwha who, while large and successful in Korea, are a new company to Australian Defence Industry. Their dedication to integrate the best materials and technology into the Redback is obvious, while their willingness to genuinely engage and work closely with Australian companies is refreshing.”

The LAND 400 Phase 3 project, which is tasked to acquire up to 450 tracked Infantry Fighting Vehicles to replace Australia’s fleet of M113AS4 armoured personnel carriers, has a budget of AUD$18 – $27 billion, and is the first time that the Defence will have a dedicated Infantry Fighting Vehicle capability. The Risk Mitigation Activity involves detailed test and evaluation of the vehicles throughout 2021 with the aim of providing objective quality evidence to support a government decision on the preferred platform.

The Redback is up against Rheinmetall’s Lynx KF41 for the LAND 400 Phase 3 project, which is due to announce a winner in 2022.

Listed on the ASX and operating for 40 years, Bisalloy is Australia’s only manufacturer of high strength and high hardness quenched and tempered steel plate used for armour, structural, protection and wear resistant steel applications.

As Australia’s only manufacturer of armour and protection grade steels, Bisalloy has a long history of collaboration with Defence. Developed in the 1980s for use in the hulls of the Royal Australian Navy’s Adelaide Class Frigate, BISALLOY® Armour steel has since been used in several other local defence projects, including the Collins Class Submarine, Bushmaster Infantry Mobility Vehicle, Hawkei and others.

BISALLOY® Armour steel has become a leading product for defence applications in Australia and abroad and is specified worldwide for a myriad of defence applications.

Photography: Hanwha Defense