Elbit Systems and Hanwha Defense have confirmed their cooepration on the Redback Infantry Fighting Vehicle (IFV), which is on show at Eurosatory in Paris.
“Aiming to become one of the top land systems developers in the world, Hanwha Defense puts a top priority on developing sophisticated technology to provide global-leading defense solutions,” Son Jae-il, President & CEO of Hanwha Defense said. “The Redback is proof of that approach.”
“We are delighted to be working with Elbit Systems on the Redback vehicle we have been trailing for the Australian market,” Hanwha Defense Australia Managing Director Richard Cho said. “This strong relationship is built upon both parties being ready, reliable and responsive to our customer’s needs.”
“We are pleased to be working closely with HDA to support this game changing capability, in Australia and beyond,” Elbit Systems Executive Vice President and General Manager Land Systems Udi Vered said. “Elbit Systems is fully committed to deliver an Australian made state of the art turret and protection system.”
Elbit Systems and HDA say they are already putting measures in place to make sure that the Transfer of Technology process between Israel and Australia are fit for purpose.
Elbit Land is planning to produce the Redback turret and various accessory items from the H-ACE at Avalon.
The Redback, which features a range of state-of-the-art technologies - including composite rubber tracks, the advanced In-arm Suspension Unit that dispenses with torsion bars allowing more space for effective blast mitigation, Iron-Fist Light Decoupled (IF-LD) Active Protection System and the Iron Vision see-through helmet-mounted display technology - is in competition for Land 400 Phase 3.
The Iron Fist active protection system was successfully demonstrated in late 2020, and several SPIKE LR2 missiles were successfully fired from a Redback vehicle in early in 2021.