Hanwha Defence Australia (HDA) and Hanwha Systems have signed a teaming agreement with RF communication technology specialist GME at the Avalon Air Show 2025 this week.
According to a statement from HDA, the agreement builds on the memorandum of understanding signed at the 2024 MilCIS conference in November last year.
With the body of work outlined in the MoU now completed, and the three companies are now set to work together on the upcoming LAND 4140 program for the Australian Defence Force, establishing several key functions within the Land Command, Control, Communications and Computers (Land C4I) environment.
“GME is a rapidly expanding Australian business with strong links into both civil and military C4 programs in Australia and internationally, so working with them towards a solution for LAND4140 is the best path forward,” HDA Acting Managing Director Dean Michie said.
GME Managing Director Stephen Millar added, “With GME’s significant advanced manufacturing capabilities working together to equip the Australian Defence Force with Hanwha’s world class C4 capabilities, made and supported in Australia, this agreement makes sense.”
HDA will act as the prime with the support of sister company, Hanwha Systems, working with GME for the hardware side of the project.
According to South Korean-based Hanwha, the project would build on the experience of its work on that nation’s TIGER program, to which it is applying “tactical 5G and Low Earth Orbit Satellite Communications (LEO Satcom) technologies to enhance battlefield connectivity and interoperability.”
GME was established in 1959 as Standard Components, and became Greenwich Marine Electronics in 1972. It is currently Australia’s only manufacturer of UHF CB (ultra-high frequency citizen band) radios and emergency beacons.
It began diversifying into defence about seven years ago, and opened a new Zone 4 manufacturing facility at its Winston Hills headquarters in May 2022, as part of this.
Picture: supplied
Further reading
GME acquires Eylex for undisclosed amount
GME, Hanwha to develop defence communications systems
Excellence in maritime manufacturing – GME cuts ribbon on new defence electronics facility