- South Korean Army trials of Hanwha Defence’s Redback IFV successfully concluded after six-week trial run
- Redback showcases its high-performance mobility in off-road environments at media invite
- Defense Acquisition Program Administration Announces Intent to Acquire ‘Korean Redback’ through ‘Rapid R&D Program’
- Redback shortlisted for Australia’s LAND 400 Phase 3 project to compete in IFV in US and Europe
The Redback Infantry Fighting Vehicle (IFV) developed by Hanwha Defense demonstrated its outstanding performance at a media invitation event held by an Army unit on May 27.
The incident comes at the end of the South Korean Army’s six-week trial of the next-generation IFV. The South Korean Army trial follows Redback’s successful selection of a preferred bidder for the third phase of the LAND 400 project, which aims to acquire around 400 next-generation IFVs, following Redback’s successful testing and evaluation under the Australian risk mitigation exercise last year.
During the media event, the tracked armored vehicle impressed the audience by demonstrating its off-road maneuverability through obstacle courses, including ramps and muddy puddles. Vehicles also pivot; turrets rotate; and troops dismount.
“The reliability and advanced technology of the Redback IFV has been demonstrated in the Korean Army’s latest vehicle test run, which is expected to provide a solid foundation for Redback’s international sales and marketing,” said Brig. General Zhao Xianji, Director of the DAPA Mobility Program Department.
“Domestic, we are considering purchasing a Korean version of the Redback under the Rapid R&D program that fits the ROK Army’s concept of operations and can have the technology and performance required by the service,” Cho added. “Through this approach, the ROK Army will be able to deploy the next generation of infantry fighting vehicles ahead of schedule, which will help improve the services’ ability to deploy and sustain the armed forces.”
The Rapid R&D program aims to procure weapon systems equipped with the latest technology after verifying the military use of the relevant systems. Through this rapid research and development program, the military can reduce the time to introduce the most advanced weapon systems to a certain extent.
Hanwha Defense is expected to meet the potential needs of the South Korean military, as the company plans to start durability testing of the Redback’s mobility on South Korean terrain starting in August this year. The test will cover approximately 10,000 kilometers on rough terrain and on paved and unpaved roads.
Utilizing the core technology of the K21 infantry fighting vehicle, the Redback was developed to meet the operational requirements of the Australian Defence Force. The tracked vehicle features innovative technologies such as composite rubber tracks; Iron Vision see-through helmet-mounted display; Iron Fist active protection system; in-arm hydropneumatic suspension; outboard health and usage management system; and Solar Sigma Shield technology.
Redback has also received strong attention in the US and European markets. The Oshkosh Defense Alliance, which includes Hanwha Defense America, is trying to leverage Redback’s proven capabilities for the U.S. Army’s Optional Manned Fighting Vehicle (OMFV) design work. Several European countries also presented their IFV procurement plans.
Lee Boo-hwan, Vice President Overseas, Hanwha Defence, said: “The Redback demonstrated its overwhelming performance in final testing and evaluation in Australia, and the latest test run of the Redback by the South Korean Army has proven the vehicle’s all-terrain capability and reliability.” department. “We have full confidence in Redback’s competitiveness in the global IFV market.”
