- Hanwha Defense and Bisalloy Steels signed a memorandum of understanding for the global export of Redback infantry fighting vehicles and K9 self-propelled howitzers.
- Consider using Australian steel for the K9A1EGY project.
- The memorandum of understanding between Hanwha and Bisalloy provides an example of how to address potential supply chain risks amid the ongoing pandemic.
As South Korea’s leading defense company, Hanwha Defense has partnered with a well-known Australian steelmaker to manufacture armoured fighting vehicles and self-propelled howitzers for the international market.
Hanwha Defence signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on February 7 with Bisalloy Steels, a specialist high-performance steel manufacturer and supplier headquartered in New South Wales, Australia.
Under the agreement, Hanwha Defense will procure Bisalloy Steel for its iconic land defense platforms, such as the Redback Infantry Fighting Vehicle (IFV) and K9 self-propelled howitzer, for export to international markets outside Australia.
Bisalloy Steel is one of Hanwha Defense Australia’s Australian Industrial Capability (AIC) partner companies, which is using Redback IFV to participate in the Commonwealth’s LAND 400 Phase 3 programme.
The two companies will also combine technical analysis and development to integrate Bisally steel into Redback and K9 for export to Europe and other markets.
“We are delighted to be working closely with Hanwha Defence and entering its global supply chain. Bisalloy Steels’ strength has been proven in its 40-year history, and by working together, we believe we will contribute to Hanwha’s product portfolio and international business, ” said Mr Michael Gundy, Managing Director of Bisalloy Steels. “We look forward to expanding our business with Hanwha in the coming years.”
Armor steel is a critical component of military strength, while the need to build secondary supply chains in critical materials is expected to accelerate due to the pandemic and increasing security threats. The MoU between Hanwha Defense and Bisalloy provides an example of how to address potential supply chain risks.
Mr. Son Jae-il, CEO and President of Hanwha Defence, said, “We are delighted to expand our partnership with Bisalloy Steels in the international market as we are delighted that Bisalloy Steels has proven its quality with the performance of the Redback IFV.”
“We will explore ways to further use Bisally steel for the K9 self-propelled howitzer as well as the Redback IFV,” Son said. “Especially following the recent contract with Egypt for the K9, we will first review the approach to using Australian steel for the K9A1EGY project.”
Hanwha Defense signed a $1.6 billion contract with the Egyptian Ministry of Defense on February 1 to co-produce the K9 and other support vehicles.
