South Korea’s defense export strategy is pivoting from land to sea. Defense Minister Kang Shin-chul met with Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Richard Marles in the Philippines to deepen bilateral military ties. This diplomatic push follows major land-based contracts, including Hanwha’s supply of AS9 Huntsman self-propelled howitzers and Redback infantry fighting vehicles, as Newspim reported.
Expanding the Footprint from Geelong to Maritime Defense
Defense cooperation between Seoul and Canberra centers heavily on local manufacturing and supply chain integration. In 2021, Hanwha Aerospace secured an approximately 1 billion Australian dollar contract to supply 30 self-propelled howitzers and 15 armored ammunition resupply vehicles, known locally as the AS9 Huntsman and AS10. That land-systems footprint expanded further when a late 2023 agreement finalized the delivery of 129 Redback infantry fighting vehicles valued at 3.1649 trillion won, with fulfillment scheduled through 2028.
Production for these platforms takes place at H-ACE, the first overseas manufacturing plant built by a South Korean defense firm, located in Geelong, Victoria. The facility opened its expanded production lines earlier this year, enabling simultaneous manufacturing of both artillery and armored vehicles while integrating local Australian suppliers for engines, suspension systems, and power control units.
Challenging the Regional Naval Framework
While South Korean ground systems have firmly established roots in Australia, the maritime domain presents a different strategic landscape. In late 2024, HD Hyundai Heavy Industries and Hanwha Ocean fell short in Australia’s competitive frigate acquisition program. Canberra selected Mitsubishi Heavy Industries’ modified Mogami-class design, citing the operational range requirements of the Royal Australian Navy.
To counter this setback, South Korean defense contractors are pursuing maritime inroads through corporate acquisition rather than direct platform bidding. The Australian government approved Hanwha’s acquisition of up to a 19.9% stake in Australian shipbuilder Austal, subject to stringent data access and security conditions. Hanwha subsequently submitted a preliminary proposal in August to acquire Austal’s U.S. shipbuilding operations for between $1.05 billion and $1.2 billion. Austal reported an extension of Hanwha’s due diligence period and ongoing commercial negotiations regarding transaction terms, though a competing consortium led by Wildcat Infrastructure also remains engaged in discussions.
| Project / Asset | Type | Value / Scale | Current Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| AS9 Huntsman & AS10 | Self-Propelled Howitzer & Resupply | ~1 Billion AUD (2021) | Under Production at Geelong H-ACE |
| Redback IFV | Infantry Fighting Vehicle | 3.1649 Trillion KRW (2023) | Sequenced Delivery through 2028 |
Multilateral Coordination at ADMM-Plus
The bilateral discussions between Minister Kang and Deputy Prime Minister Marles occurred alongside broader regional engagements in the Philippines. In a parallel meeting, Minister Kang met with Philippine Gilberto Teodoro Jr. during the 13th ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting-Plus (ADMM-Plus), as Seoul Shinmun reported. The talks with Manila focused on long-term defense industrial cooperation, joint training exercises, maritime security, and the participation of South Korean firms in ongoing military modernization initiatives.
During his discussions with Australian leadership, Minister Kang addressed wider regional security concerns, outlining the situation surrounding a landmine explosion involving North Korea in September. He emphasized the necessity of international cooperation to address escalating security tensions on the Korean Peninsula alongside deepening military ties between Pyongyang and Moscow, according to Newspim.
