Page 5 - AVALON 2023 - Day 1 | DAILY NEWS

HANWHA SIGNS CONTRACT FOR
FORCYS
AUSTRALIAN HOWITZER SUBSYSTEMS
OFFERS SUBSEA Last December, Hanwha Defense Australia
(HDA) signed up German firm AirSense
SOLUTIONS Analytics for the supply of chemical and
hazardous substance sensors for the
TO AUSTRALIA Australian Army’s 30 new AS9 Huntsman
155mm self-propelled howitzers and 15
AS10 armoured ammunition resupply
Forcys, a UK-based maritime defence vehicles.
company, announced the creation
of an Australian subsidiary on 13 The Australian Army is procuring these artil-
February. Unsurprisingly called Forcys lery assets under Project Land 8116. They
Australia, the entity is aiming to offer to represent the first ever self-propelled artil-
Australia ‘remote, autonomous and net- lery pieces that Australia will have owned.
worked control capabilities that deliver © Hanwha Defense Australia
integrated situational awareness to cus- The contract with AirSense Analytics is and validation activities. Ongoing support
tomers in the underwater domain’.
worth AUD3.5 million (USD2.44 million). of the sensors will take place through an
With the release of the Defence Strategic The sensors form an integral part of the Australian industry partner.
Review due next month, and the rising vehicles’ chemical, biological, radiological
prominence of unlawful maritime claims and nuclear threat detection system. Hanwha Defense Australia noted, ‘This part-
and military coercion in place like the nership further demonstrates the growing
South China Sea, Forcys Australia sees HDA commented that the German com- supply chain in Australia and overseas that
itself as being in a useful position to pany is in conversation with several local HDA is building to deliver this game chang-
offer self-reliant deterrent effects to Australian companies for the conduct of ing capability for the Australian Defence
Australia. test and evaluation to support verification Force and beyond.’
With more than 50 years of experience,
Forcys has strengths in asset protection, purpose and delivers the greatest return
littoral strike, mine warfare, submarine on investment.’
rescue, and submarine and anti-subma-
rine warfare. The DSR took six months to write, and it
was authored by former defence minister
It integrates solutions from technology Professor Stephen Smith, and former chief
partners such as Chelsea Technologies, of the Defence Force Angus Houston.
EIVA, Sonardyne, Voyis and Wavefront
Systems. More than 150 individuals and experts pro-
vided input. These included Department
Sean Leydon Regional Manager for of Defence officials, Australian Defence
Forcys’ Asia-Pacific region, explained: Force personnel, defence industry, think
‘Our technology partners already engage © Department of Defence tanks and academics, state and territory
with the Australian government and representatives, and other interest groups.
industry, so our initial focus will be on COMPLETED DEFENCE In addition, there were more than 360 sub-
improving those interactions by provid-
ing an in-country presence. However, STRATEGIC REVIEW IS missions from the general public and other
our ambition doesn’t stop there. We are HANDED OVER interested parties.
actively recruiting engineers to help sup-
port our existing customers and, in time, On 14 February, Prime Minister Anthony Defence Minister Richard Males noted: ‘The
to develop sovereign capability. I’m look- Albanese and Defence Minister Richard Defence Strategic Review is an ambitious
ing forward to help make a difference.’ Marles announced in parliament they had and extensive examination of our stra-
received the final version of the Defence tegic circumstances, and will underpin
Ioseba Tena, Commercial Director of Strategic Review. The review examined the our defence policy for decades to come.
Forcys, said: ‘…Australia is taking bold force posture, structure and capabilities Australia must be resolute in its respon-
decisions in the underwater domain. of the Australian Defence Force, viewed in sibility to safeguard our region and keep
There’s been a realisation that uncrewed light of a changing strategic environment adversaries further from our shores.’
systems take a lot of the risk out of the due to factors like a militaristic China and
conflict; they afford higher levels of attri- the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Details of the review were first announced
tion and deliver higher coverage rates. on 3 August 2022. The Albanese govern-
The sense of urgency is palpable and Albanese said, ‘The Defence Strategic ment will now consider the report and its
there is an appetite to work with industry Review will help prepare Australia to effec- recommendations. The review is expected
experts to support the transition. We are tively respond to the changing regional and to inform and sway a number of future
keen to support a sovereign, sustainable global strategic environment, and ensure acquisition programmes in Australia’s
capability.’ Defence’s capability and structure is fit for military.

AVALON 2023 FEBRUARY-28-2023 | 5