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Penske Australia has been selected to deliver and integrate mtu engines and Allison transmissions into powerpacks for Hanwha’s Redback IFV, if it is chosen for Defence’s LAND 400 Phase 3.
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Penske Australia has been selected to deliver and integrate mtu engines and Allison transmissions into powerpacks for Hanwha’s Redback infantry fighting vehicle, if selected for Defence’s LAND 400 Phase 3 bid, the company has confirmed.
Currently, Hanwha’s Redback is in the running for the LAND 400 Phase 3 program, which would see the company deliver 450 new IFVs to the Australian Defence Force. The program is currently valued between $18 billion and $27 billion.
As part of the agreement between Penske Australia and Hanwha Defense Australia, Penske Australia has agreed to embed technicians into the Redback’s manufacturing facility to assist with the integration of the powerpack into the IFVs.
The mtu is a 1,000 horsepower MT881Ka-500 diesel engine, and is expected to be built and trialled by Penske Australia. The engine was acquired under a technology transfer agreement between the company and South Korea’s STX Engine. STX Engine has locally modified the equipment and will be present during the transfer.
According to a release from the company, the modification is high speed, water-cooled, twin-turbo, four stroke, direct injection and intercooled diesel. Hanwha Defense Australia explained that this is the same equipment used in the K9 self-propelled howitzer.
Likewise, the Allison x1100 series cross drive transmission assembled by Penske is under licence from South Korea’s SNT Dynamics, and is also used in the company’s K9 self-propelled howitzer.
It is expected that the agreement between Penske Australia and Hanwha Defense Australia will hasten the development of an Australia-based maintenance hub.
Richard Cho, managing director of Hanwha Defense Australia, welcomed the new partnership between the companies.
“It is great to have a company like Penske Australia as part of Team Redback,” Cho said.
“And it is particularly satisfying to see Penske working so closely with two South Korean companies on such an important aspect of our Redback program.
“Penske is a globally renowned powerhouse in the automotive and transport industries and Hanwha Defense Australia is proud to be working with them to establish Australian defence support capabilities that will have broad applications across various vehicles and fleets.”
Hamish Christie-Johnston, managing director of Penske Australia, outlined that the partnership will help build a strong local capability.
“We are proud to be a part of team Redback,” Christie-Johnston said.
“And are very much looking forward to making a further contribution to Australia’s local defence capabilities as part of Hanwha’s LAND 400 Phase 3 offer.
“Engine and transmission assembly and powerpack integration play to Penske Australia’s core strengths, and we will certainly make every effort and investment necessary in facilities and personnel to ensure that the Redback has the reliable power and drive it requires.
“It’s great to be part of a program that will generate such a formidable local capability.”
[Related: Sigma Bravo tapped to support Hanwha’s LAND 8116 project]
