Hanwha Aerospace showcases Redback IFV

Hanwha Aerospace, Korea’s leading aerospace and defense corporation, joined the Black Sea Defense and Aerospace (BSDA) 2024 exhibition and conference held at the ROMAERO Complex in Bucharest, Romania, from May 22 to 24.

Hanwha Aerospace’s Redback IFV took center stage at the Black Sea Defense and Aerospace 2024 exhibition. [HANWHA AEROSPACE]

Hanwha Aerospace, Korea’s leading aerospace and defense corporation, joined the Black Sea Defense and Aerospace (BSDA) 2024 exhibition and conference held at the ROMAERO Complex in Bucharest, Romania, from May 22 to 24.

This was the first time that Hanwha Aerospace participated in the prestigious defense fair in the Black Sea region, representing the company’s ambitious initiatives to build and expand partnerships with Romania and neighboring countries.

At the exhibition, Hanwha Aerospace displayed a range of advanced capabilities concentrating on combat vehicles and precision-guided weapons.

The Redback IFV (infantry fighting vehicle) took center stage, as the vehicle offers a range of innovative technologies, meeting the requirements of Romania’s military modernization plans.

“With its adaptability and growth potential, the Redback is the world’s most sophisticated IFV featuring best-in-class armored protection, mobility and lethality,” said Billy Boohwan Lee, head of Hanwha Aerospace Europe.

“Besides capabilities, the Redback IFV solution is expected to help bring a massive manufacturing capability to the Romanian market through active industrial partnerships.”

Based on the Korean army’s K21 IFV, the Redback was developed to feature state-of-the-art technologies and capabilities, which include the in-arm suspension units, a composite rubber track, a hard-kill active protection system and a see-through helmet-mounted situational awareness display.

In 2023, the Redback was selected by Australia for the LAND 400 Phase 3 program to deliver 129 IFVs, with the extensive involvement of Australian supply chains.

The Redback is also considered to be a baseline for the Korean army’s next-generation IFV development.

The K9 Thunder Self-Propelled Howitzer was also on display to highlight the equipment’s globally proven capabilities.

The 155mm/52-caliber tracked howitzer has so far been adopted by nine countries, including five NATO member states — Poland, Norway, Estonia, Finland and Turkey.

For the K9 program in Romania, Hanwha Aerospace has formed “Team Tunet” involving Romanian supply chains, representing the company’s strong commitment to maximizing economic benefits to the Romanian industry through industrial partnerships.

“As a trusted partner of Romania, Hanwha Aerospace is fully committed to delivering the best quality products and services to support Romania’s military modernization plans,” said Jae Il Son, CEO and president of Hanwha Aerospace.

“In addition, we’re dedicated to coming up with plans contributing to the Romanian industry and economy, such as local manufacturing, employment, technology transfer, joint R&D and export marketing.”

Other products presented at BSDA included the K10 Ammunition Resupply Vehicle, the Chunmoo Multiple Rocket Launcher System and the Chungum (Tigers) tactical guided missile both for manned and unmanned vehicles.

BY JEONG SEONWU [jeong.seonwu@joongang.co.kr]