First Huntsman howitzers roll out in Geelong

The big guns are now rolling out in Geelong, with the Hanwha Armoured Vehicle Centre of Excellence (H-ACE) in Avalon completing its first Huntsman howitzers.

The first two AS9 self-propelled howitzers in the $1 billion Land 8116 contract for the Australian Army came off the production line on Thursday last week, alongside an AS10 armoured ammunition resupply vehicle made in South Korea.

Located next to Avalon Airport, H-ACE is the South Korean company’s Australian manufacturing hub and will also build 129 Redback infantry fighting vehicles in the Land 400 Phase 3 program at a cost of between $5 billion and $7 billion.

The howitzers will now go through further testing and training activities, and Hanwha Defence Australia (HDA) is working with soldiers from the Australian Army in H-ACE’s training wing.

The first Australian-made AS10 is scheduled to roll off the H-ACE production line later this year.

Dignitaries including Deputy Prime Minister, Defence Minister and Corio federal member Richard Marles; Victorian Minister for Industry and Advanced Manufacturing Colin Brooks; and HDA and UK/Europe chief executive officer Ben Hudson were at H-ACE to see the howitzers roll out.

Marles said the vehicles built at H-ACE would employ hundreds of Australians, bolster the nation’s manufacturing industry and strengthen the Australian Defence Force’s capabilities.

Brooks said the milestone cemented Victoria’s position at the centre of Australia’s defence manufacturing capability, supported highly skilled jobs, strengthened sovereign capability and drove long-term economic growth.

“Built right here in Victoria, these vehicles showcase the strength of Victoria’s advanced manufacturing industry, the expertise of our skilled workforce and the significant economic benefits of world-class production.”

Hudson said the technology transfer on Land 8116 between South Korea and Australia had been a pilot program in many ways.

“Seeing the first Australian-made AS9s come off the production line and drive their first laps around our test track is a milestone that we’re all very proud of,” he said.

“This program will see a game changing capability introduced to the Australian Army underpinned by a strategic partner in Hanwha Defence Australia.

“With the K9 user community now 11 nations strong, the AS9 variant pushes the boundaries of the platform.”