JOINT MEDIA RELEASE
September 16, 2024 — On Day 2 of Land Forces 2024 last week, Hanwha Defence Australia, Hanwha Aerospace and Gilmour Space Technologies signed a three-way Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to develop a sustainable and mutually beneficial relationship whilst aiding the advancement of the broader strategic interests for Australia and Korea within the Space domain.
As a highly regulated international domain, Space is a key enabler to both civil and military day to day operations. This MoU looks to leverage the experience and capabilities resident in all three parties for the benefit of Australian, South Korean and global partners in this important domain.
As South Korea’s leading space solution provider, Hanwha Aerospace provides critical support across the nation’s space programs.
“The trust built through the agreements for K9 self-propelled howitzers and Redback Infantry Fighting Vehicles (IFV) serves as a strong foundation,” Sean Yim, Space Program Manager at Hanwha Aerospace said. “This will pave the way for enhanced cooperation between South Korea and Australia in the increasingly important space industry.”
Gilmour Space is a leader in space and launch technology in Australia with its sovereign-made Eris launch vehicles, Bowen Orbital Spaceport, and Elara satellite program.
“Space is a global market that’s growing exponentially,” Adam Gilmour, CEO and Co-founder of Gilmour Space said. “We look forward to expanding the New Space opportunities between Australia and South Korea.”
Hanwha Defence Australia will explore with its parent company and one of Australia’s leading Space companies to expand its R&D and manufacturing footprint in the country.
“The MoU signed here today demonstrates our firm intention to place Hanwha Defence Australia in the space domain,” Acting Managing Director Hanwha Defence Australia Dean Michie said. “All three companies are at the cutting edge of their fields, and I look forward to working with our partners to bring together new and innovative capabilities.”
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About Hanwha Defence Australia
Hanwha Defence Australia is a subsidiary of Hanwha Aerospace, a division of the vast Republic of Korea Fortune 500 conglomerate Hanwha Corporation. Hanwha Corporation has been operating in Australia since 2005 in areas including mining equipment, logistics and sustainable energy.
Headquartered in Melbourne, Hanwha Defence Australia was established in 2019 with an initial focus on Land Systems. The company signed a contract with the Commonwealth of Australia to supply self-propelled artillery systems under LAND 8116, a $0.9 billion to $1.3 billion project.
Hanwha Defence Australia signed acquisition and initial support contracts for LAND 400 Phase 3 with a combined value of approximately $4.5 billion dollars at the end of 2023. The contracts will enable the delivery of the Redback Infantry Fighting Vehicle (IFV) capability to the Australian Army, Army’s largest ever acquisition program. All Hanwha vehicles will be manufactured in the Greater Geelong area of Victoria at the HDA Armoured vehicle Centre of Excellence (H-ACE).
About Gilmour Space Technologies
Gilmour Space Technologies (gspace.com) is Australia’s leading aerospace prime, offering fully integrated space launch services in Australia. Headquartered in Gold Coast, Queensland, the venture-backed company is developing, manufacturing, and launching Australian-made orbital launch vehicles and satellites from the country’s first licensed orbital launch site, the Bowen Orbital Spaceport in Queensland.
About Hanwha Aerospace
A subsidiary of Hanwha Group, a Fortune Global 500 company, Hanwha Aerospace is the largest aerospace and defense company in South Korea. With the reputation of South Korea’s only aircraft engine maker and a global provider of advanced military and commercial aircraft engines, Hanwha Aerospace is spearheading the country’s space projects such as KSLV-II. Hanwha Aerospace has merged its subsidiary Hanwha Defense, the maker of world-renown K9 Self-Propelled Howitzer and Redback Infantry Fighting Vehicle, to expand its footprint in the global defense market. The company has also acquired the Hanwha Munitions to develop and provide ammunition, precision-guided missiles, and other cutting-edge weapons systems.