Forging New Frontiers: Hanwha Defense Collaborates with Soucy CRT

 “Where innovation meets application” is a popular saying that signifies a point where an original concept is subjected to a tangible evaluation, and this is perfectly fitting for Soucy’s cutting-edge Composite Rubber Track system installed on the Redback Infantry Fighting Vehicle. The Redback, conceived by Hanwha Defense, based in South Korea, is currently under consideration by the Commonwealth as part of an active tender process for Project LAND 400 Phase 3, which is projected to be an $18 billion to $27 billion initiative aimed at procuring 450 Infantry Fighting Vehicles for the Australian Defence Force.

Soucy’s Composite Rubber Track (CRT) provides numerous benefits compared to traditional metal track configurations, including a reduction of up to 70 percent in vibrations, a noise decrease of up to 13.5 decibels, decreased weight, enhanced maneuverability, up to 80 percent lower maintenance demands, and improved efficiency, allowing for increased top speeds of vehicles or fuel savings of as much as 30 percent.

Hanwha Defense Australia’s parent firm, Hanwha Defence Corporation (HDC), and Soucy have maintained a long-standing cooperative partnership that involved HDC utilizing Soucy’s CRT system for vehicles within the Korean Defence Force. From there, once the strengths of the new CRT technology were evaluated, it became an effortless decision for Hanwha Defense Australia to designate the advanced Soucy CRT for its Redback Infantry Fighting Vehicle.

If the Redback is ultimately chosen, this agreement will facilitate the transfer of 50 percent of Soucy’s CRT technology to Hanwha Defense Australia, enabling local production of track mechanical elements like road wheels and idlers to be sub-licensed to the Australian industry. This undertaking is expected to be awarded to one or several small to medium-sized firms following the completion of ongoing market assessments.

“Hanwha’s comprehensive AIC strategy aims to provide our clients with the finest technologies from Australia and globally,” stated Mr. Richard Cho, Managing Director of Hanwha Defense Australia. “In this case, Soucy’s Composite Rubber Track is a profoundly innovative solution that presents substantial benefits, and we are highly enthusiastic about collaborating with them to introduce that technology to Australia through the Risk Mitigation Activity.”

“Soucy has a rich legacy of successful collaboration with Hanwha,” remarked Normand Lalonde from Soucy, “and we are thrilled to see that partnership expand into Australia with our CRT on the Redback IFV. Soucy has a long-term vision for the Asia-Pacific market, and our collaboration with Hanwha is a crucial element of that strategy.”

There is also considerable interest in the Soucy CRT system from various global regions, as Soucy International has recently secured a contract to provide prototype CRT systems to the US Army Ground Vehicle Systems Centre, where they will be utilized during trials for both manned and unmanned Next Generation Combat Vehicle platforms.

“Given the evident and compelling advantages of the Soucy CRT, we were pleased, but not entirely taken aback, to witness US interest in the system. I believe CRT will emerge as the optimal solution for numerous programs, and I take pride in Hanwha’s collaboration with Soucy to bring it to Australia,” Cho stated.