At the end of 2020, the two land system houses Rheinmetall AG and the Korean Hanwha Defense Systems selected as preferred bidders each delivered three infantry fighting vehicles for the "Risk Mitigation Activity" in the Land 400 Phase 3 armaments program of the Australian armed forces.
Each vehicle has a crew of three and can lead six fully armed infantry soldiers into battle. The vehicles are designed to fight alongside the country's current and future tank fleet, and are mobile to match.
Since then, Rheinmetall's Lynx KF41 and Hanwha's Redback have been tested across the Australian continent. The systems are exposed to tropical, subtropical and temperate climates with hot-dry, sandy and hot-humid as well as cool-humid conditions. Temperatures below zero, ice and snow are practically non-existent. The test program focuses on checking effectiveness, mobility and protection. Shooting with main and secondary weapons as well as contact tests are among the spectacular individual tests. But suitability for combat scenarios and logistical aspects are also on the checklist.
In a kind of interim report, the Australian Ministry of Defense reported on the status of the test campaign, but without even hinting at the results. According to this, the blasting tests, with which the resistance of the vehicles to fire, mines and IEDs was examined, have been completed - the vehicles should offer up to Level 6 according to STANAG 4569.
In taktischen Szenarien bei unterschiedlichem Wetter und Gelände wurden einzelne Fahrzeugfunktionen ebenso überprüft wie das Zusammenwirken von Besatzung und Fahrzeug bei taktischen Manövern, z.B. bei Vorstößen und Angriffen. Ein Höhepunkt war die Demonstration der Feuerkraft im Zusammenhang mit einer Gefechtsübung. Dabei feuerten beide Fahrzeuge ihre 30-mm-Hauptwaffenkanone sowie die koaxialen und ferngesteuerten 7,62-mm-Maschinengewehre ab und bekämpften Ziele in Entfernungen von 300 bis über 2.000 Meter. Um das Ausweichen nach dem Feuerkampf zu sichern, wurde von beiden Fahrzeugen multispektraler Nebel geschossen.
In a summary, Maj. Gen. David Coghlan, head of the Capability Acquisition and Sustainment Group's Armored Vehicles Division, stated that both vehicles, with their next-generation protective equipment, 30mm gun, anti-tank guided missiles and the ability to combat helicopters and drones, Provide capabilities previously unavailable in the army. “We are rapidly approaching the end of de-risking activities and the submission of the final bids from the shortlisted bidders. We will then make a final assessment to determine the preferred bidder,” continued Coghlan.
As part of the LAND 400 Phase 3 armaments program, the Australian armed forces want to replace their M113s, which have been in use since the mid-1960s, with a modern infantry fighting vehicle. About 450 armored personnel carriers are to be procured. A procurement volume of between 15 and 23 billion euros is planned for this. Both companies are committed to building the majority of the vehicles in Australia if successful, with significant investments in Australian industrial capacity to support Australian jobs, talent and technology.
After the final report on the test, a purchase decision should be made in 2022. The Australian Army aims to achieve Initial Operating Capability (IOC) in 2024/25 and FOC by 2030/31.
Gerhard Heiming
Related topics
Handed over the Lynx KF41 armored personnel carrier for testing Australia ordered 211 Boxer RMMV trucks operational in Australia Competence center for military vehicles opened IFV Puma not on offer for Australia Founding of Renk Australia First boxer goes on the trip to Australia First tranche boxers handed over in Australia First Boxer CRV passed in Australia