Representatives of Hanwha’s defense business subsidiaries and Kongsberg shake hands at a signing ceremony of a memorandum of understanding on infantry fighting vehicles and long-range precision fire systems during the Eurosatory 2022 defense exhibition in Paris, June 14. Photo courtesy of Hanwha Group

Two defense giants to cooperate on IFVs, long-range precision fires

South Korea’s Hanwha Group announced this week that it had signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Norway’s Kongsberg Defense & Aerospace.

Under the agreement signed during the Eurosatory 2022 exhibition in Paris, the two outfits are set to cooperate on infantry fighting vehicles (IFVs) and long-range precision fires.

Three Hanwha affiliates will take part in the project. They are Hanwha Defense Corp., Hanwha Defense Australia (HDA), and Hanwha Corporation.

The collaboration has something to do with the national military projects of Norway _ Kongsberg Defense & Aerospace is Norway’s major supplier of defense and aerospace-related systems and solutions.

Recently, the Norwegian Defense Material Agency issued a request for information for additional IFVs. That for long-range precision fire systems (LRPFS) will be issued later this year.

The MOU includes a means for collaborating on LRPFS between Hanwha Corporation, a leading precision-guided weapons developer in South Korea, and Kongsberg Defense & Aerospace.

“We have proven track records of developing and delivering advanced IFVs such as the K21 in service with the Republic of Korean Army, and the Redback vying for the AUD$18-27 billion project of the LAND 400 Phase 3 for the Australian Defense Force,” a Hanwha official said.

Participating in the Risk Mitigation Activity operated by the ADF in 2021, the Redback demonstrated its lethality, mobility, and survivability, featuring its innovative technologies, according to the official.

“The Redback also showcased its all-terrain maneuverability during South Korean Army’s test trials from April to May, raising the possibility of the service’s operation of the Redback vehicles,” he said.

HDA Managing Director Richard Cho commented that the contract with Kongsberg would be a win-win solution.

“This MOU confirms our ongoing work with Kongsberg on different programs, including Australia and internationally, bringing together best-of-breed technology solutions from all companies,” Cho said.
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