Hanwha Defense, a leading defense manufacturer of Hanwha Group, has been making all-out efforts to export its defense products with shifting its focus from the domestic supply to the overseas sales.
Hanwha Defense plays a pivotal role in promoting Korean-built defense products overseas though the barrier to the international arms market remains high.
Attesting to this, the Red Back infantry armored vehicle developed by Hanwha Defense was shortlisted last September Australia’s high-profile acquisition plan, dubbed the Land 400 Phase 3 Program, to supply about 400 modern armored vehicles to the Australian Army.
The Redback armored vehicle, an export version of the Korean Army’s K21 infantry fighting vehicle, is to compete with Germany’s Rheinmetall Defense Electronics’ Lynx armored vehicle to win the $4-billion contract by the end of 2021.
The Land 400 Phase 3 Program is designed to upgrade the Australian Army’s mobility and reconnaissance vehicles to replace current M113AS4 Armored Personnel carriers.
Other global competitors such as CV90 from BAE Systems of the UK and Ajax from General Dynamics of the US were eliminated.
“Being shortlisted for the Australian military project is a testament to our advanced defense technology and proactive commitment in the global market,” said Lee Sung-soo, presidentand CEO of Hanwha Defense and Hanwha Defense International (HDI).
“The Redback is a future-oriented track armored vehicle based on the technology developed for the K21 IFV and a power pack solution for the K9 self-propelled howitzer (SPH),” a Hanwha official said. “Exporting a tailor-made product to a customer, not selling an existing product, is a new paradigm of defense export bids led by Hanwha Defense.”
◇ World’s best-seller, K9
The K-9 Thunder has been by far the best selling product in the international market.
According to Hanwha officials, about 1600 K-9s have been exported to several countries. Among the K9 customers are Turkey, India,Finland, Poland, Estonia, Norway and Egypt.
The main armament consists of a 155 mm/52 caliber ordnance with a maximum firing range of 40 km. With a range of 75 km, it offers greater mobility, longer range, higher rate of fire, and increased battlefield survivability, as it can quickly be brought into action, open fire, and come out of action.
The howitzer is also operational with the K10 Automatic Ammunition Resupply Vehicle for more effective field operations.
The international demand for K9 is expected to increase continuously considering its high performance for the price.
◇ Aiming for $2.5 billion in India
Amid increasing threats of drones worldwide, Hanwha’s anti-drone solutions draw key attention from global customers, including India.
The Hybrid BIHO short-range air defense system, developed by Hanwha Defense, was declared in 2018 as the only successful bidder by the Indian Army in 2018 after tests and evaluations, in which Russia’s air defense systems were participating.
A final procurement decision has yet to be made, but the Indian defense industry recognizes Hybrid BIHO system has a formidable capability required by the Indian Army with the ties between Seoul and Delhi being strengthened further.
The deal is expected to be worth $2.5 billion.
Hybrid BIHO is a sophisticated air defense system that can fire both 30mm twin machine guns and guided weapons capable of providing day/night all-weather close-in air defense against low-altitude aerial threats such as aircraft, helicopters and drones.
It features advanced radar and fire-control systems. Battle engagement capability of Hybrid BIHO is very effective by utilizing both guns. Missile system also has high accuracy by simultaneous operation of radar and electro-optical tracking and searching (EOTS) system.
Currently, Hanwha Defense collaborates with India’s local manufacturer, Larsen& Toubro, to produce the K9 Vajra-T for the Indian Army.
As much as 80 percent of the howitzer is manufactured and produced in India.
According to Indian defense industries, Hanwha is looking to more opportunities for collaboration-especially in ammunition and defense electronics.
At DefExpo 2020, which was held in Lucknow, India, from February 5 to 9, Hanwha's main attraction was Hybrid BIHO along with other products such as the K9 SPH and the K200 armoured personnel carriers.
◇ Hanwha’s defense business arms
Hanwha group expects the total sales of its defense business units would reach 12 trillion won in 2025 from 4.5 trillion won in 2018. Especially, Hanwha defense units seek to expand their export volumes from 0.5 trillion won to 3.7 trillion won during the period.
Currently, there are four defense affiliates of Hanwha Group. They are Hanwha Aerospace, Hanwha Defense, Hanwha Corporation, and Hanwha Systems.
Hanwha Aerospace was established in 1977 and producing aircraft engine and film camera. The company aggressively invested in research to develop its technologies in optics, video, and military aircraft engines. It has then expanded into aircraft components and commercial engine parts business.
Hanwha Defense is mainly responsible for manufacturing land defense systems such as the K9 and Hybrid BIHO. Entering the defense industry in 1978, the company has played a pivotal role in increasing the defense capabilities of South Korea’s armed forces. The company has a wide variety of products from artillery systems and armored vehicles to air defense systems and unmanned ground systems.
Hanwha Systems is a leading defense electronics maker in South Korea. The company is in charge of developing radar and sensor systems, as it is involved in the development of a up-to-date radar for the KF-X fighter jet.
The company is also in active in developing unmanned aircraft systems. It is gearing up to enter the air-taxi market by investing $25 million in US air-taxi start up Overair.
[위키리크스 한국=김지형 기자]
kjh@wikileaks-kr.org
