Hanwha Defence Australia’s $170 million Armoured Vehicle Centre of Excellence has officially opened at the Avalon Airport Precinct in Geelong, Melbourne.
The opening ceremony was attended by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense Richard Marles, CEO of Hanwha Aerospace Jae-il Son, South Korean DAPA Minister Jong-gun Seok, Army Chief Lieutenant General Simon Stuart and other international dignitaries.
The H-ACE will provide key facilities to support the production and maintenance of tracked armoured vehicles, including multiple assembly lines, a 1,200-metre test track, a deep-water test facility, an obstacle course and a research and development centre.
The plant will produce, among other things, self-propelled howitzers, armoured ammunition supply vehicles and the Redback infantry fighting vehicle.
“This is a state-of-the-art facility here in Geelong that will provide well-paid, secure jobs while producing critical products for the Australian Defence Force,” said Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence Richard Marles.
1
“During the construction phase of this facility, around 100 local jobs were created – giving a boost to Geelong’s economy.”
“The Republic of Korea is an important partner for Australia and today’s opening of H-ACE reflects the strong government and industry cooperation between our two countries.
“This facility creates sovereign manufacturing and maintenance capability while enabling Australian companies to participate in the global supply chain, supporting local jobs and the Australian defence industry.”
Construction of the plant was completed two and a half months ahead of schedule by national construction group Built, with the support of lead contractor Conscia. The completion of the first phase of this plant has created approximately 100 new jobs locally.
The delivery of 129 locally built armored personnel carriers to Hanwha’s H-ACE is expected to secure around 2,100 jobs, including 1,800 direct jobs.
“The acquisition of armoured vehicles is part of the Government’s modernisation of the Australian Army to ensure it can respond to our challenging strategic circumstances,” said Pat Conroy, Minister for Defence Industry and Service Delivery.
“Locally building armoured vehicles supports thousands of highly skilled jobs across the industry and supports Australia’s strategic need to develop sovereign manufacturing capabilities for defence.
“This is part of the Albanese Government’s commitment to keep Australians safe while supporting an Australian future.”
The H-ACE is manufactured in Australia and provides protection for Australian soldiers and strengthens the Army’s capabilities. It includes LAND 8116 Phase 1 and LAND 400 Phase 3 vehicles.
The Huntsman family of vehicles produced at the plant includes the AS9 self-propelled howitzer, the AS10 armoured ammunition supply vehicle and the Redback infantry fighting vehicle.
“The opening of H-ACE is the culmination of years of work by HDA and all of our partners,” said HDA Acting Executive Director Dean Michie.
“I would also like to acknowledge the support of the Victorian Government in building this world-class facility. This investment in the Geelong region brings back high-technology vehicle manufacturing with the Huntsman and Redback vehicle families with our diverse supply chain.”
Australian industry will contribute to sustaining operational capability and supplying additional supplies such as ammunition, spare parts, equipment and communications systems.
The first phase of the facility is now open and dedicated to the Huntsman vehicles. The second phase of the facility is scheduled to begin in 2025. This will include a second production line to support the Redbacks, as well as additional elements such as a firing tunnel and an EMC/EMI chamber.
This EMI/EMC Chamber will create enhanced capabilities that will benefit the wider defence and defense industry community by providing increased capacity in this important area.
The H-ACE also provides space for HDA’s supply chain partners to collaborate with the company, with co-location enabling a streamlined approach for both manufacturing lines.
“This facility represents Hanwha’s commitment to Geelong, Victoria and Australia and demonstrates the company’s focus on the future of programs in this region, including howitzers, infantry fighting vehicles and other technological advances that go beyond our current initiatives,” said Jae-il Son, CEO of Hanwha Aerospace.
“H-ACE is an important part of our global defence supply chain and further strengthens the relationship between Australia and Korea. We will continue to work with Australian companies and work towards integrating more of them into our global supply networks.”
The first phase, completed in August, includes a central office building with space for 250 people, a 1.2 km test track, a paint shop, workshops, a laboratory for the integration of security systems, and a production line for the AS9 and AS10 self-propelled howitzers and the armoured ammunition supply vehicle.
Phase two includes a second production line, an EMC/EMI chamber and an underground test firing range.
