Armoured Vehicle Centre of Excellence officially opened in Melbourne

The opening ceremony was attended by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence Richard Marles, Hanwha Aerospace chief executive officer Son Jae-il, South Korea’s DAPA Minister Seok Jong-gun, Chief of Army Lieutenant General Simon Stuart, and other international dignitaries.

The Hanwha Armoured Vehicle Centre of Excellence (H-ACE) will provide critical facilities supporting the production and sustainment 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 facility is expected to provide production of self-propelled howitzers, armoured ammunition resupply vehicles, and the Redback infantry fighting vehicle.

“This is the state-of-the-art facility right here in Geelong, providing well paid, secure jobs, all the while manufacturing key capabilities for Australia’s Army,” Deputy Prime Minister Marles said.

“Approximately 100 local jobs were created during the construction phase of this facility – creating a boost for the Geelong economy.

“The Republic of Korea is an important partner to Australia, and today’s opening of the H-ACE reflects the strong government and industry collaboration between our two countries.

“This facility establishes a sovereign production and maintenance capability while allowing Australian companies to participate in the global supply chain, supporting local jobs and Australian defence industry.”

VIEW ALL

Construction of the facility was completed two and half months early by national construction group Built, supported by managing contractor Conscia. The delivery of the first phase of this facility has created approximately 100 new local jobs.

The delivery of 129 locally built infantry fighting vehicles at Hanwha’s H-ACE is forecast to support approximately 2,100 jobs inclusive of 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,” Minister for Defence Industry and Capability Delivery Pat Conroy said.

“Building armoured vehicles locally will support thousands of high-skilled jobs across the industry and support Australia’s strategic imperative to develop sovereign defence manufacturing capabilities.

“This is part of the Albanese government’s commitment to keeping Australians safe while also supporting a future made in Australia.”

The H-ACE will see Australian manufacturing provide protection for Australian soldiers and bolster Army’s capabilities, including vehicles for LAND 8116 Phase 1 and LAND 400 Phase 3.

the Huntsman family of vehicles produced at the facility will include the AS9 self-propelled howitzer, AS10 armoured ammunition resupply vehicle, and the Redback infantry fighting vehicles.

“The opening of the H-ACE is the culmination of years of work by HDA and all our partners,” acting HDA managing director Dean Michie said.

“I would also like to acknowledge the support from the Victorian government in establishing this world-class facility. This investment into the Geelong region brings back high-technology vehicle manufacturing with both the Huntsman and Redback families of vehicles with our diverse supply chain.”

Australian industry will contribute to the enduring sustainment of the capability and the delivery of ancillary supplies including munitions, spares, facilities, and communication systems.

Stage one of the facility is now open and is geared towards the Huntsman vehicles with stage two of the facility, due to start construction in 2025, which will see the addition of a second production line to support the Redbacks along with additional elements, including a firing tunnel and EMC/EMI chamber.

This EMI/EMC chamber will create an expanded capability that will benefit the wider Defence and defence industry community in providing more capacity in this important space.

The H-ACE also provides space for HDA’s supply chain partners to work alongside the company, with co-location providing a streamlined approach to both manufacturing lines.

“This facility represents Hanwha's commitment to Geelong, Victoria, and Australia, demonstrating that the company is focused on the future of programs in this region, including howitzers, infantry fighting vehicles, and other technological advancements beyond our current initiatives,” Hanwha Aerospace CEO Son Jae-il said.

“H-ACE is a significant part of our global Defence supply chain, further strengthening the relationship between Australia and Korea. We will continue to collaborate with Australian companies and work towards integrating more of them into our global supply networks.”

Stage one completed in August includes a hub office space with space for 250 people, a 1.2-kilometre test track, paint shop, workshops, secure systems integration lab as well as production line for the AS9 and AS10 self-propelled howitzer and armoured ammunition resupply vehicle.

Stage two includes a second production line, EMC/EMI chamber and underground test shooting range.