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Hanwha Redback infantry fighting vehicles will be fitted with Mk44 Stretch Bushmaster chain guns under an industry partnership announced this week.
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US defence prime Northrop Grumman Corporation will partner with Hanwha Defence Australia for the production of 129 chain guns with initial deliveries beginning in 2026 under Australia’s LAND 400 Phase 3 program, according to a statement released on 4 June.
The Mk44 Stretch Bushmaster chain guns (Mk44S) reportedly enables interoperability with Northrop Grumman’s advanced ammunition suite, developed for the US Army, and includes new programmable air burst munition, providing Australia with the most advanced ammunition technology.
More than 20,000 Bushmaster chain guns are in service with 65 allied nations’ land, air and sea-based combat platforms worldwide.
“Bushmaster chain guns are the automatic cannon of choice for customers around the world due to their performance and reliability,” Northrop Grumman bushmaster chain guns director Jennifer Zonneveld said.
“In partnership with the Hanwha-led Team Redback, Northrop Grumman is providing the Australian Army with the most advanced medium caliber capability in the world, maintaining the system’s relevancy for years to come.”
Northrop Grumman’s advanced ammunition suite includes the multifunction airburst munition, armour-piercing and proximity fused ammunition, allowing crew members to defeat a broad range of ground and aerial threats by selecting the optimal ammunition.
This program will continue the Bushmaster legacy in Australia, as chain guns are currently integrated on the Australian Defence Force’s land, air and sea-based combat platforms.
Earlier this year, Hanwha Defence Australia’s training team conducted driver exposure training for the Redback infantry fighting vehicle (IFV) in the Republic of Korea.
The delegation travelled to the training area at Hanwha Aerospace Land Systems Business Group as part of an ongoing skill development and knowledge transfer from South Korea.
During the driver exposure training, personnel are educated on basic operator and maintenance training for HDA instructors as well as practical driver training on HAS’ Driver Circuit, commanding, maintaining and understanding the vehicle’s performance as a dismounted combatant.
The Australian federal government has previously signed an approximately $4 billion contract with Hanwha Defence Australia for the delivery of 129 Redback infantry fighting vehicles.
The program will see all 129 vehicles manufactured in Australia, with vehicle deliveries to begin in 2027 and have the fleet delivered in full by 2028.
A series of eight prototype vehicles will also be manufactured in both South Korea and Australia as the program develops.
The contract includes the development and delivery of the training system components and support system components through until final acceptance in 2029, with an initial support contract in place for the first five years following delivery.
