Tasmanian companies join Land 400 Phase 3 bid

While Tasmania’s capabilities in the maritime sector are well understood, its capabilities in the land domain are now of interest to South Korean giant Hanwha in their bid for LAND 400 Phase 3 with its aptly named Redback vehicle.

It may surprise some to know that one of the nation’s most significant heavy vehicle manufacturing capabilities is found in and around Burnie, in the north west of the state.

Global OEM Elphinstone Pty Ltd has proven an ideal partner for Hanwha as it focuses its bid, and the development of its Australian supply chain, for the final push to secure the prestigious multi-billion dollar program to replace our fleet of Infantry Fighting Vehicles.

Elphinstone specialises in the design, manufacture and support of heavy-duty vehicles for the global underground, surface mining and rail maintenance industries, and is ideally suited to production of large structures and components for the vehicle build.

Coupled with this capability is the associated supply chain that has helped Elphinstone export several thousand vehicles from Burnie to international markets since 1975.  In fact together, Elphinstone and Caterpillar have manufactured more than 5000 underground and surface mining vehicles from their collective facilities in Burnie over the past 40 years.

Executive Director, Kelly Elphinstone said Elphinstone has designed and manufactured vehicles to operate in some of the harshest conditions and there are many synergies with the Hanwha product. 

“Hanwha have worked hard to maximise Australian capability and content wherever possible and while we know the final vehicle assembly will occur in Geelong, Tasmania can still play a meaningful role in the program.” Ms Elphinstone said.

These sentiments are echoed in the south of the State where innovative SME CBG Systems is already working with Hanwha.  

Hanwha Defense Australia announced in May 2021 that its existing partnership with CBG Systems was being extended to include ongoing supply for LAND 400 Phase 3 as well as LAND 8116 Protected Mobile Fires. Hanwha is the sole source tenderer for the LAND 8116 program, bidding the Huntsman Self-Propelled Howitzer and Armoured Ammunition Resupply vehicles.

CBG Systems is using its Solar∑Shield advanced mobile camouflage systems technology to make the Redback and Huntsman vehicle variants hard to see or detect with radar, providing a potentially decisive combat advantage against adversary detection and engagement systems.

The Solar∑Shield technology will also assist in managing the thermal signature and other heat transfer properties on Hanwha Defense Australia’s technologically advanced Redback and Huntsman family of vehicles.

“CBG Systems is proud to offer Solar∑Shield to Australia’s key defence projects and excited to be contributing to what is a highly advanced and integrated solution for LAND 400 Phase 3,” said Javier Herbon Managing Director of CBG Systems. 

“CBG’s mobile camouflage system provides signature management against visual, thermal, radar and ultraviolet detection, and thus provides a significant advantage and much greater safety in high threat environments.”

Solar∑Shield technology was originally developed by DRDC (Defence Research and Development Canada) which represents a clear example of the opportunity to develop further synergies and cooperation between the Canadian and Australian governments. Together with industry they can continue to develop advanced technologies for our countries’ defence forces.

LAND 400 Phase 3 is an $18 to $27 billion project tasked to acquire a fleet of up to 450 Infantry Fighting Vehicles. LAND 8116 Phase 1 is a $0.9 billion to $1.3 billion project to acquire 30 self-propelled armoured artillery systems and 15 armoured resupply vehicles.

“I am delighted to welcome CBG Systems permanently to Team Redback,” said Mr Richard Cho, Managing Director of Hanwha Defense Australia. “CBG Systems are a highly respected Australian company and I believe the technology they offer can help us make the Redback an even better vehicle in terms of soldier protection and comfort. I am very grateful for all their efforts so far both with the Redback and LAND 8116.”

Hanwha Defense Australia publicly launched the Redback in Australia earlier this year before handing over vehicles to the Commonwealth for assessment as part of their Risk Mitigation Activity for project LAND 400 Phase 3.

Elphinstone and CBG Systems will join other successful Tasmanian companies Penguin Composites and Delta Hydraulics being courted by Hanwha. Penguin Composites has had great success in supplying bonnets and other panels for prime Thales on the Hawkei vehicle now with Army. Delta Hydraulics has been supplying telescopic cylinders to the Collins class submarine since their commissioning.

“Victoria is home for Hanwha,” Mr Cho said, “but the contribution of Tasmanian industry such as Elphinstone and CBG Systems to our vehicle programs illustrates the benefits to both states, and indeed the nation, where Hanwha is successful.”

Tasmania’s Defence Advocate, Rear Admiral (Rtd) Steve Gilmore, said Tasmania’s manufacturing capability is an ideal partner for primes looking to show a true commitment to AIC, while getting superior outcomes. “Heavy vehicle manufacturers in Tasmania have been producing globally competitive products for decades with innovate solutions that are routinely the best on the market” Rear Admiral (Rtd) Steve Gilmore said.

More information on Tasmania’s defence industry is available through the Defence Tasmania Industry Directory at www.stategrowth.tas.gov.au