Richard Cho, managing director of Hanwha Defense Australia (HDA)
Q AWhat’s the progress of marketing campaigns so far? HDA is focused on the delivery and mobilization of Land 8116 Protected Mobile Fires, which will see the delivery of 30 AS9 SPHs and 15 AS10 ammunition resupply vehicles. The sole source contract was signed last December, and we are on track to deliver this game-changing capability for the Australian Defense Force on time and on budget with the Huntsman family of vehicles.
In preparation for this, HDA is building a new 32,000-square-meter facility in Geelong on a 15-hectare site, with construction work to commence later this year, to be completed in 2024.
We are shortlisted for Phase 3 of Land 400 that will see the Australian Army replace their M113 fleet with up to 450 IFVs valued at approximately AUD$27 billion over the coming decade. A decision from the Australian government is expected in the third quarter of this year.
Q What’s the rationale behind HDA’s expansion into global markets?
A Working successfully in Australia has given us better access to “Five Eyes” nations — the U.S., the U.K., Canada, Australia and New Zealand — to expand outreach into those countries. There are a number of vehicle and ammunition programs in those nations that are of interest to us at the moment as well as programs in Europe that we are watching closely.
Q What is the key strength of Hanwha’s products?
A The scale of high technology manufacturing in Korea means that we can compete on price very effectively while also working with local companies in partner nations. The work we have done with K9 users internationally demonstrates this, with Norway, Finland, Estonia, Turkey, Poland,
India (current users) and now Egypt and Australia (contracts signed) is testament to the strength of the technology on offer.
We have worked with each of these partners to make sure that their sovereign needs are addressed in both acquisition and sustainment.