The $170 million Stage 1 of the H-ACE facility, opened in the Geelong region under an accelerated two-year build program in August 2024, has brought back high technology vehicle manufacturing.

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

Stage 2 construction commenced in March 2025 and was completed in February 2026. The facility expanded to fulfill the Australian Army requirement for 129 Redback Infantry Fighting Vehicles (IFVs), under LAND 400 Phase 3. The H-ACE is now home to the largest EMI/EMI chamber in the southern hemisphere.

The plant features a 1,200-metre test track, deep-water test facility, incline test, production halls, systems integration lab, training wing, workshops, paint shop, EMI/EMC chamber, wash down and storage facilities plus space for up to 400 workers on site.

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 is also 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 Conscia, an Australian veteran owned small business, selected national construction group, Built. for the design and Stage 1 construction of the H-ACE facility in Q3 2022, with construction completed in May 2024 as part of an accelerated build program.  

Under the contract, Built. completed final design and was contracted by HDA and Conscia to use local Geelong companies where feasible, in support of the region.

Stage 1 construction exceeded numerous social procurement targets and is ready to revitalise high technology vehicle manufacturing in the Geelong region, having opened in August 2024 after being delivered 2.5 months early.  

Stage 2 of the H-ACE was completed in February 2026 thanks to Kapitol Group with HDA conducting fitout to prepare the structures to support production of both the Huntsman and Redback vehicles.

The $220 million investment in the H-ACE confirms Hanwha's dedication to Australia and the wider Indo-Pacific region.