Hanwha and Oshkosh unite to create a BMP

Hanwha Defense and Oshkosh Defense have teamed up to compete in creation of the next-generation IFV for the U.S. Army – «Український мілітарний портал» (Ukrainian military portal, https://mil.in.ua/uk/).

South Korean company Hanwha Defense has signed an exclusive merger agreement with one of the leading US defense companies Oshkosh Defense for the digital design phase of the next generation of US military combat vehicles.

The merger was part of a program to develop a new infantry fighting vehicle, the Optionally Manned Fighting Vehicle (OMFV) program, to replace the Bradley M2A3.

Infantry fighting vehicle from Hanwha Defense Photo by company service

The OMFV program is a key element in the creation of a new infantry fighting vehicle to replace the Bradley M2A3 BMP, which began operating in the early 1980s. The five-phase program acquisition plan is expected to sign the first contract in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2021, with the first divisions receiving their OMFVs in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2028.

“The combined efforts of two innovative, reliable and successful companies give me great confidence that Hanwha and Oshkosh, along with our other consortium partners, will create the next generation of infantry fighting vehicles that the American soldier clearly deserves,” he said. Lieutenant Bernard S. Champagne, US Army, retired.

Hanwha Defense is a leading developer of wheeled and tracked combat vehicles and weapons systems in the Republic of Korea, with half a century of experience, capabilities and technology in many proven solutions. Expanding its global presence, Hanwha Defense has produced more than 7,000 state-of-the-art combat vehicles for the Republic of Korea and exported to Malaysia, Norway, Finland, Estonia, Poland, Turkey and India.

Hanwha Defense Australia is bidding for a new crawler infantry fighting vehicle for the Australian Army.

The work is part of the third phase of the Australian Land 400 program. Under the program, the Australian Defense Ministry is looking for a replacement for its infantry fighting vehicles and has put forward in the technical requirements for the transfer of six fighters and three crew members.

Throughout 2021, various types of tests will continue, based on the results of both combat vehicles, and in 2022 the Australian government will make a final decision on a new combat vehicle.

Norwegian Self-propelled artillery K-9 Thunder Photo: Defense News

The project implies the purchase up to 450 tracked combat vehicles.

Australia is also buying 30 South Korean 155-mm K9 Thunder self-propelled artillery units. In addition to the Self-propelled artillery themselves, K10 transport and charging machines (ARVs) will be purchased for them.