Hanwha deepens links to Australian industry

Korea’s Hanwha Defence has deepened its links with Australia’s defence and space industries with a series of MOUs signed with several indigenous industry partners.

Hanwha has linked with companies including rocket manufacturer Gilmour Space Technology, navigation systems company Advanced Navigation, and eVTOL/UAS leader AMSL Aero as well as foreign owned communications company Safran in Australia.

Hanwha Defence Australia (HDA) and Hanwha Aerospace (HA) signed MoUs with the company last week as well as announcing that its Australian, UK, US and Korean businesses would co-operate on the development of guided weapons for AUKUS nations.

Hanwha’s MoU with Gilmour Space Technologies aims to develop ‘a sustainable and mutually beneficial relationship whilst aiding the advancement of the broader strategic interests for Australia and Korea within the Space domain’.

The Space Program Manager at Hanwha Aerospace Sean Yim said: “The trust built through the agreements for K9 self-propelled howitzers and Redback Infantry Fighting Vehicles (IFV) serves as a strong foundation.

“This will pave the way for enhanced cooperation between South Korea and Australia in the increasingly important space industry.”

Hanwha is building the armoured vehicles at a new factory near Geelong in Victoria.

Gilmour Space is a leader in space and launch technology with its Eris launch vehicles, Bowen Orbital Spaceport, and Elara satellite programme.

The CEO and Co-founder of Gilmour Space Technologies Adam Gilmopur said: “Space is a global market that’s growing exponentially.

“We look forward to expanding the New Space opportunities between Australia and South Korea.”

Meanwhile in other developments:

• HDA, HA and Advanced Navigation today signed a three party MoU to collaborate on the development of high-performance inertial navigation systems (INS) for autonomous, airborne and crewed systems
• HDA and and AMSL Aero signed an agreement to establish a strategic partnership to develop and sustain a mutually beneficial Australian Industry Capability (AIC) programme for AMSL Aero aircraft. AMSL Aero develops and manufactures zero emissions VTOL (vertical take-off and landing) aircraft and small uncrewed aerial systems (UAS)
• And HDA and Safran signed a MoU for a LAND 400 Phase 3 subcontract for the Redback IFV that will have Safran’s PASEO technology on board.

Hanwha in Australia will explore with its parent company the potential to expand its R&D and manufacturing footprint in Australia.

This was then followed by a joint statement from HDA, Hanwha Aerospace, Hanwha UK and Hanwha USA about a new working group between the 4 organisations to jointly work together on precision guided weapons for AUKUS nations.

Picture: AMSL Aero