The Oshkosh Defense consortium, which includes Hanwha Defense USA, a division of Hanwha Defense Corporation based in South Korea, was recently selected to participate in the US Army’s Optionally Manned Fighting Vehicle (OMFV) program Concept Design Phase.
Hanwha Defense Australia (HDA) will also support the Oshkosh Defense OMFV consortium.
The Oshkosh Defense OMFV concept leverages Hanwha’s Redback chassis. The Redback is one of two contenders for Australia’s Land 400 Phase 3 Infantry Fighting Vehicle (IFV) requirement, which is expected to be awarded in 2022.
“While the OMFV and Land 400 requirements are different in some elements, many of the advanced capabilities could apply to both programs,” said Richard Cho, Hanwha Defense Australia Managing Director. “Along with our Australian suppliers, we’ve learned a lot about the capabilities associated with a modern Infantry Fighting Vehicle. We look forward to working with Oshkosh Defense and Hanwha Defense USA and collectively leverage those insights as part of the OMFV program.”
Hanwha Defense Australia will also deliver a Redback to the Republic of Korea (ROK) Ministry of National Defense to undergo a performance evaluation that will inform the Korean future Infantry Fighting Vehicle program.
The OMFV program is the US Army’s third attempt to replace the M-2 Bradley Infantry Fighting Vehicle, which has been in service since the early 1980s.
HDA has also been contracted for Land 8116, a $0.9 to 1.3 billion project which will see the Commonwealth acquire self-propelled artillery systems to be manufactured in the Greater Geelong area.