Defence and Space

The AKBC's Industry Group on Defence and Space plays a key role in advancing strategic cooperation between Australia and Korea in areas of growing geopolitical and economic importance.

Both nations are actively modernising their defence capabilities and are committed to developing resilient, sovereign defence industries. This shared focus is creating strong opportunities for collaboration across land systems, aerospace, defence R&D, advanced manufacturing, emerging technologies, and the space sector.

Hanwha Defence Australia has secured major contracts under LAND 8116 to supply AS9 Huntsman self-propelled howitzers and AS10 resupply vehicles, and under LAND 400 Phase 3 to deliver Redback Infantry Fighting Vehicles, which will be produced locally in Geelong. These projects support Australia’s goal to build domestic defence capability and deepen industrial cooperation with Korea.

AKBC actively fosters this bilateral collaboration by hosting high-level roundtables with senior government officials and industry stakeholders from both countries. It also works closely with our Accelerate member, Hanwha Defence Australia, government agencies, and Australian project leads to identify partnership opportunities and support localisation efforts across the sector.

Recent activity by the Industry Group includes: 

- Held a meeting with the Hon Richard Marles MP, Deputy Prime Minister of Australia and Minister for Defence, during Canberra Day.

- Hosted the Australia-Korea Trade Roundtable with Senator the Hon Don Farrell, Minister for Trade and Tourism.

- 'Will Australia’s defence relationship with Korea be a casualty of the DSR?', article written by AKBC Board Member, Bill Paterson PSM, Chair of Defence and Space Industry Group