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according to korean media reports, on august 23, hanwha aerospace announced the official opening of the hanwha armored vehicle excellence center built in geelong, victoria, australia. this is the company's first overseas military factory, which will produce the as9 self-propelled howitzers, as10 armored ammunition supply vehicles and as21 infantry fighting vehicles ordered by the australian defense force, promoting supply chain cooperation between south korea and australia.

it is reported that australian deputy prime minister and defense minister mars, army commander stewart, and south korean defense acquisition program administration director shi zhonggen and others attended the opening ceremony of hanwha armored vehicle center of excellence.

hanwha aerospace president and ceo sun jae-il said the center is an important part of hanwha aerospace's global supply chain and will further strengthen the defense relationship between australia and south korea. hanwha aerospace will continue to work with australian companies and strive to include more australian companies in the global supply network.

hanwha armored vehicle excellence center officially started construction in april 2022, covering an area of ​​about 150,000 square meters, with a total of 11 facilities, including the main office building, manufacturing building, assembly center, test driving area and shooting range, etc. the center is only an hour's drive from melbourne, australia's second largest city, and a 10-minute drive from avalon airport, which is convenient for cargo transportation and personnel recruitment.

australia signed a contract with hanwha aerospace in 2021 to purchase 30 as9 self-propelled howitzers and 15 as10 armored ammunition supply vehicles. in july 2023, the defense cooperation between south korea and australia took another step forward. the as21 infantry fighting vehicle developed by south korea's hanwha aerospace defeated the kf41 infantry fighting vehicle of germany's rheinmetall and won the bid for the third phase of australia's "land 400" project. the australian department of defense signed a contract with hanwha aerospace to purchase 129 as21 infantry fighting vehicles, and the first vehicle will be delivered in 2027. these armored vehicles will all be produced at the hanwha armored vehicle excellence center.

the report said that as geopolitical risks continue to rise, the demand for defense products in the indian ocean and pacific countries continues to increase. hanwha aerospace is building a military factory in australia, not only for australia, but also for australia's major allies in the future. the head of hanwha aerospace's australian subsidiary said that based on the geopolitical status and strategic cooperation between south korea and australia, hanwha armored vehicle excellence center will serve as the secondary supply chain for south korea's defense equipment, and hopes to export more defense equipment to other member countries of the "five eyes alliance" and the "ocus" alliance in the future.

according to foreign media reports, the successful entry of south korean defense companies into australia and the construction of factories have also brought a demonstration effect to european countries such as poland and romania to place additional weapons orders with south korea. at present, poland has clearly stated that it will introduce as21 infantry fighting vehicles. in the future, more european countries may purchase south korean equipment or even agree to south korea opening factories.