The $170 million H-ACE facility, recently completed in the Geelong region under an accelerated two-year build program, will bring back high technology vehicle manufacturing.

Under Stage 1, the 32,000 square metre state-of-the-art facility will initially be focused on the production of Hanwha’s AS9 Self-Propelled Howitzer (SPH) and AS10 Armoured Ammunition Resupply Vehicle (AARV) under LAND 8116 Phase 1 Protected Mobile Fires program.

Stage 2 design has commenced and will see the facility expanded to fulfill the Australian Army requirement for 129 Redback Infantry Fighting Vehicles (IFVs), under LAND 400 Phase 3.

The plant features a 1,200-metre test track, deep-water test facility, obstacle course and purpose built Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMI / EMC) anaechoic chamber, one of the most advanced and largest in the region.

Ample provision has been made for Hanwha’s Australian industry partners to co-locate on the 20-hectare site as necessary to streamline the manufacturing process and add maximum versatility as HDA expands to support Australian and international customers.

Situated close to a skilled workforce and logistics hub, the H-ACE will also be known as Plant 4 for the global Hanwha organisation, supplementing armoured vehicle manufacturing capabilities resident in South Korea’s Changwon city, Geelong’s sister city.

HDA and Contract Manager partner Conscia, an Australian veteran owned small business, selected national construction group, Built. for the design and construction of the H-ACE in Q3 2022 with construction beginning in Q4 2022.

Under the contract, Built. completed final design work and actively work with local companies to deliver the state of the art facility under Stage 1. Built. ontracted by HDA and Conscia to use local Geelong companies where feasible, supporting the region to grow and creating up to 100 local jobs during the build program.

Stage 1 of the facility opened August 2024, with production due to starting in Q4 2024. Design of Stage 2 of the H-ACE to address the needs of the Redback program are well progressed and are scheduled to begin in Q1 2025.