Hanwha Defense Australia (HDA) has entered into an agreement with a local battery manufacturer to advance the development of Australian battery solutions for military vehicles.
In its support for an industry-led project to develop Australian military standard lithium-ion battery technology to meet the unique demands of military vehicles, HDA will work with EDEA Energy (formerly Edison Projects Australia). The Melbourne company is the first to sign up to the project.
EDEA Energy will provide its Australian-made EnRG military battery range to Hanwha and take part in mobility testing of the Redback infantry fighting vehicle (IFV) in the Republic of Korea (ROK) during the first quarter of 2023. The testing will facilitate ongoing development of the system.
EDEA Energy's Managing Director, Mark Tipping, said on 25 February that his firm will not only develop and manufacture the battery package but also utilise Australian-made battery cells.
Hanwha anticipates incorporating this critical enabling technology as an option in its current and future programs. A key objective is to develop an Australian-made battery solution that can be sold to other military vehicle manufacturers and user communities in Australia and overseas, filling a capability gap in Australia's sovereign industry.
It is anticipated that other companies will join future phases of the project.
Ian Bostock
Defence Technology Review