Hanwha Defence Australia commences Stage 2 fit-out of Armoured Vehicle Centre of Excellence

Australia-based Hanwha Defence Australia has accepted and begun fit-out of Stage 2 facilities at the Hanwha Armoured Vehicle Centre of Excellence, following construction completion by partner Kapitol and support from managing contractor Conscia, Australian Defence Magazine reported.

The fit-out enables parallel production lines for both the Huntsman and Redback vehicles, expanding manufacturing capacity at the 32,000 square metre site.

Over the past 12 months, the facility has expanded to account for the 129 Redback Infantry Fighting Vehicle fleet for the Australian Army under Land 400 Phase 3.

Ben Hudson, Hanwha Defence Australia and UK/Europe CEO, said Stage 2 builds upon capability and capacity from Stage 1 opened in 2024.

"Stage 2 will allow us to build upon the capability and capacity from Stage 1 opened in 2024, so that we have the ability to run parallel production lines for both the Huntsman and Redback vehicles," Hudson said.

"Hanwha have now invested almost $AUD225 million (€138.62 million) in the site, making it a strategic asset not just for Australia and South Korea but for the wider region when it comes to both production and future Maintenance, Repair, Overhaul and Upgrade (MROU) work, alongside future opportunities."

Andrew Deveson, co-founder and director at Kapitol, said delivering Stage 2 ahead of schedule by a month on a live defence manufacturing site required absolute discipline.

"Delivering Stage 2 ahead of schedule by a month on a live Defence manufacturing site required absolute discipline in planning, sequencing and decision-making," Deveson said.

"By challenging standard delivery methods and working closely with Hanwha Defence Australia and Conscia, we were able to maintain momentum through complexity and provide the certainty needed to move straight into fit-out and parallel production."

Stage 2 facilities include a second production hall, EMI/EMC chamber described as the largest in the Southern Hemisphere, heavy washdown facility and finished product store.

Read the complete article on Hanwha Defence Australia's Stage 2 fit-out commencement at H-ACE facility.