AUSTRALIEN: Korea defeats Germany

07/26/2023By Redaktion

AS-21 Redback Australia Procurement Combat Vehicles

The Korean company Hanwha won the bid for the construction of 129 infantry fighting vehicles after a five-year tender process, beating the German company Rheinmetall, as reported by the Australian Financial Review currently: The Lynx KF41 is defeated by the AS21 Redback.

However, the contract is not as lucrative as originally thought after the number of vehicles to be built was reduced from 450. The majority of the infantry fighting vehicles fell victim to a review and reassessment of Australian defense strategy. The total project costs had increased from 18 to 27 billion dollars before the project was cut in April.

The Cabinet's National Security Committee made the decision on Tuesday, contacting the Korean and German governments as well as the two bidders on Wednesday. The decision could be announced as early as Thursday.

The contract will strengthen defense relations with South Korea as Australia seeks to enhance relationships with regional partners during a time of increasing tensions with China. It will also help cushion the recent government decision to halve the number of self-propelled howitzers purchased from Hanwha.

The Hanwha vehicle, the AS21 Redback, was reportedly preferred by the Army after testing, although the Lynx KF 41 from Rheinmetall also met the requirements. Rheinmetall – already producing Boxer CRV in a plant near Brisbane – was also attributed a better offer for the local industry, including the prospect of exports to Germany.

Hanwha Defense website