Roaring into Action: Redback Infantry Vehicle Showcases Skills in ROK Army Trials

The Redback Infantry Fighting Vehicle (IFV), crafted by Hanwha Defense, has shown exceptional performance during a media event that took place on May 27 at a military unit.

The occasion occurred at the conclusion of the Republic of Korea Army’s six-week test of the next-generation IFV. This evaluation followed the Redback’s successful trials and assessments last year under the Australian Risk Mitigation Initiative aimed at selecting the preferred bidder for the LAND 400 Phase 3 project, which seeks to acquire approximately 400 state-of-the-art IFVs.

At the media gathering, the tracked armored vehicle captivated the audience by demonstrating its off-road agility through an obstacle course featuring a ramp and a muddy pool. The vehicle also showcased its pivot steering, turret rotation, and troop disembarkation.

“The dependability and advanced technology of the Redback IFV have been validated during the most recent ROK Army trial of the vehicle, which is anticipated to lay a solid foundation for the Redback’s global sales and marketing,” stated Brig. Gen. Cho Hyun-ki, leader of DAPA’s Maneuver Program Department.

“On a domestic level, we are contemplating the acquisition of a Korean variant of the Redback that aligns with the ROK Army’s operational concepts and is equipped with the required technology and performance standards mandated by the service, through an expedited research and development program,” Cho further elaborated. “This strategy will enable the ROK Army to deploy next-generation IFVs ahead of schedule, enhancing its capacity to mobilize and sustain military forces.”

The expedited R&D initiative aims to procure weapon systems outfitted with cutting-edge technologies after substantiating the military applicability of the relevant systems. With this swift R&D approach, the military can significantly reduce the timeframe for integrating advanced weapon systems.

Hanwha Defense is well-positioned to fulfill the anticipated needs of the ROK Army, as the company plans to undertake durability evaluations of the Redback’s maneuverability on Korean terrain starting this August. The testing will encompass about 10,000 kilometers of driving on rugged landscapes, as well as on both paved and unpaved roads.

Leveraging the foundational technologies of the K21 Infantry Fighting Vehicle, the Redback was engineered to satisfy the operational standards of the Australian Defence Force. This tracked vehicle incorporates numerous groundbreaking technologies such as composite rubber tracks, the Iron Vision see-through helmet-mounted display, the Iron Fist hard-kill active protection system, the in-arm hydro-pneumatic suspension mechanism, the offboard Health and Usage Management System, and the Solar Sigma Shield technology.

The Redback is also garnering significant interest from the US and European markets. The Oshkosh Defense Consortium, which includes Hanwha Defense USA, is working to utilize the validated capabilities of the Redback for the US Army’s Optionally Manned Fighting Vehicle (OMFV) design initiative. Multiple European nations have also expressed interest in the Redback for their IFV procurement programs.

“The Redback showcased its remarkable performance during the final evaluations in Australia, and the latest testing for the ROK Army confirmed the vehicle’s all-terrain capabilities and reliability,” noted Lee Boo-hwan, Vice President of Hanwha Defense’s International Department. “We are confident in the Redback’s competitiveness in the worldwide IFV market.”