Hanwha Defense Australia (HDA) and Rheinmetall Defence Australia (RDA) have submitted their final offerings for the Australian Army's next Infantry Fighting Vehicle (IFV) under Land 400 Phase 3, a program worth $18-27 billion.
The risk mitigation activity (RMA) began in the final quarter of 2019 and concluded on 08 October. Each contractor was given 12 months to build three trial vehicles for evaluation, conducted across six sub-trials led by Army’s Land Test and Evaluation Agency, with sub-trials delegated to agencies including the Land Engineering Agency, CASG, and the Defence Science and Technology Group.
Testing took place at locations including the High Range training area outside Townsville during the wet season, and the Cultana combined arms training area in South Australia at the height of summer.
ADM understands that blast testing involved detonating a 10 kilogram mine under the vehicles' tracks and another under the hull centreline.
"Hanwha Defense Australia is enormously proud of Team Redback and what we have achieved over the past couple of years," a HDA spokesperson said. "The Land 400 Phase 3 Risk Mitigation Activity concluded on October 8 and Hanwha’s bid has been lodged. Hanwha is grateful for the Commonwealth’s professional testing and consideration of the Redback and we eagerly await their procurement decision."
Defence has previously disclosed that the RMA and other data will inform tailoring of an Acceptance Verification Program as part of the acquisition contract prior to the start of full rate production.
“The fact that Army and Defence’s Capability Acquisition and Sustainment Group has completed perhaps the most comprehensive testing in the world of these IFVs is outstanding," RDA chief Gary Stewart said. “The testing and associated working group discussions have mitigated a number of risks, confirmed vehicle and company performance, and improved the access for more Australian companies to be involved in this program."
If successful, HDA's Redback would be built in Geelong, Victoria whilst RDA's Lynx would be built in Redbank, Queensland.