Hanwha Aerospace Completes AS9 Howitzer Production Facility in Australia

Hanwha Aerospace announced the completion of its first overseas production base, the Hanwha Armoured vehicle Centre of Excellence (H-ACE), located in Geelong, Victoria, Australia.

The factory is set to begin mass production of the AS9 self-propelled howitzer and the AS10 ammunition transport vehicle in the second half of this year. The AS9 and AS10 are modified versions of Korea’s K9 and K10 models, respectively. Production of the Redback tracked armored vehicle is anticipated to start after the delivery of prototypes in the first half of 2026.

The H-ACE facility, which spans approximately 150,000 square meters, includes a main building, production and assembly plants, a driving test site, and a shooting range. The site is located near Melbourne and Avalon Airport, facilitating logistics and recruitment.

The opening ceremony for H-ACE was attended by Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) Administrator Seok Jong-gun, Australian Minister of Defence Richard Marles, and Hanwha Aerospace CEO Jae-il Son.

The establishment of H-ACE is expected to bolster local employment and economic activity in Geelong, historically a hub for automobile manufacturing.

In addition, Hanwha Aerospace plans to supply major components to the H-ACE plant from its partners in Changwon, South Korea.

The new production base is expected to enhance Hanwha Aerospace's presence in the AUKUS and Five Eyes security markets and meet the growing defense demands in the Indo-Pacific region.