Contracts signed as LAND 400 Phase 3 progresses
Contracts have been signed with the two companies selected to progress to the next stage of the Australian Army’s LAND 400 Phase 3, the Australian Department of Defence announced on 22 October.
Hanwha Defense Australia and Rheinmetall Defence Australia have signed the contracts to participate in risk mitigation as part of the project to acquire new infantry fighting vehicles to fulfil the army’s mounted close combat capability requirement.
The Risk Mitigation Activity phase will take place over the next two years, with the vehicles to undertake a test and evaluation programme including destructive testing at sites across Australia.
The Hanwha Redback and Rheinmetall Lynx were down-selected by the Australian government in September.
Minister for Defence, Linda Reynolds, said: ‘This programme is a significant investment in [the] army’s capability – it will make our personnel safer, more effective on operations, and will complement our investment in Boxer Combat Reconnaissance Vehicles under LAND 400 Phase 2.’
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Land Warfare
-
AUSA 2026: companies adapt munitions and missiles for greater effect at lower costs
Rather than developing entirely new weapons, defence companies are looking to build on existing weapons and systems to deliver greater capability, control costs and accelerate fielding.
-
With changing patterns in Middle Eastern procurement, is Europe missing out?
Traditional suppliers are struggling to meet the Middle East’s armoured vehicle modernisation needs, creating opportunities for South Korean manufacturers and regional defence industries.
-
AUSA 2026: CUAS market expands as suppliers target new threats and operational requirements
New developments from MARSS, MyDefence, Mountain Horse Solutions and Rafael suggest that future counter-drone protection will increasingly depend on combining advanced detection, rapid interception and integrated defensive networks.