HDA’s AS21 Redback Infantry Fighting Vehicle used in the joint development activity. Image: HDA
Uncrewed aerial systems have become one of the most persistent threats facing land forces, changing how armies plan, move and fight on the modern battlefield. Global demand for counter-drone capability reflects that shift. For Visionary Machines and HDA, that growth curve represents a significant opportunity to assess sovereign Australian sensing technology integrated to a combat platform with a heritage proven on the international stage.
The joint development activity is focused on exploring how Pandion™ Sentinel autonomous sensing capabilities could support force protection and situational awareness for land combat vehicles operating in increasingly complex environments.
This work builds on the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed by Visionary Machines, HDA and Hanwha Systems at the Avalon International Airshow in March 2025, which established a framework for identifying and developing opportunities that bring together Australian innovation and leading defence platforms. Through this relationship, the companies have been working together to assess how sovereign technologies can contribute to future defence capability outcomes.
The activity reflects a shared commitment to advancing solutions that address emerging global threats, while supporting the continued growth of Australia’s sovereign defence industry. By combining Visionary Machines’ drone detection expertise with HDA’s Redback IFV, the companies are working to demonstrate the potential for enhanced counter-drone awareness in land combat environments.
The collaboration underscores both companies’ commitment to local capability, industry partnership, and the development of advanced technologies within Australia’s defence ecosystem.
Visionary Machines and HDA will be represented at the Land Forces International Land Defence Exposition, running from 6 to 8 October 2026 at the Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre.
“Drones now pose one of the most persistent threats to land forces anywhere in the world and this collaboration with Hanwha Defence Australia is about making sure Australia stays at the forefront of this innovation.”
“For Visionary Machines, it’s a chance to demonstrate how sovereign Australian technology can be matched with a platform already proven on the international stage, and we’re pleased to be continuing that work with HDA.”
Sonny Foster, Chief Executive Officer, Visionary Machines
“The Redback has been designed with growth and adaptability in mind, enabling the integration of emerging technologies as operational requirements evolve. Through our collaboration with Visionary Machines, we are exploring how advanced Australian-developed sensing capabilities can be integrated with the Redback platform to address the growing challenge posed by unmanned aerial systems on the modern battlefield.”
“By bringing together HDA’s experience in advanced land systems and Visionary Machines’ leadership in passive sensing technology, we are assessing new approaches to enhancing force protection, situational awareness and operational effectiveness.”
Glenn Halupka, Head of R&D, Hanwha Defence Australia
Visionary Machines is an Australian software and sensing company with a proven, revenue-generating counter-drone platform, pioneering the passive detection of evolving drone threats in one of the world’s fastest-growing defence markets.
Pandion Sentinel is a passive optical platform that detects, tracks and classifies radio frequency-operated drones, autonomous drones and “dark drones” without emitting a signal, making it electronically silent and undetectable - unlike conventional sensor systems. The platform is hardware agnostic, allowing it to integrate with complementary technologies.
Hanwha Defence Australia is a subsidiary of Hanwha Aerospace, South Korea’s fifth-largest business group, with innovative businesses in aerospace & defence, mechatronics, energy & maritime solutions, finance, and retail & services. As a multinational company with a robust global network of affiliates, Hanwha designs, builds, and operates foundational systems that secure societies, strengthen industries, and drive future resilience.
Hanwha Corporation has been operating in Australia since 2005 in areas including mining equipment, logistics and sustainable energy.
Headquartered in Melbourne, Hanwha Defence Australia was established in 2019 with an initial focus on Land Systems. The company signed a contract with the Commonwealth of Australia to supply self-propelled artillery systems under LAND 8116, a billion-dollar project.
Hanwha Defence Australia signed the acquisition and initial support contracts for the LAND 400 Phase 3 Redback Infantry Fighting Vehicle (IFV) capability at the end of 2023, with a combined value of approximately $4.5 billion dollars.
Hanwha vehicles will be built in the Greater Geelong area of Victoria at the Hanwha Armoured vehicle Centre of Excellence (H-ACE).
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