Australian Army Selects EOS R400 Remote Weapon Station for Redback Infantry Fighting Vehicle

The Australian Army has confirmed the selection of Electro Optic Systems’ (EOS) R400 Mk2 Remote Weapon Station (RWS) to be integrated onto its future fleet of Redback Infantry Fighting Vehicles (IFVs), developed by Hanwha Defense Australia. This decision marks a key milestone in the $5–7 billion LAND 400 Phase 3 program aimed at modernizing Australia’s armored fighting vehicle capability.

EOS R400 Mk2: A Combat-Proven Remote Weapon System

The EOS R400 Mk2 is a stabilized remote weapon station designed to mount a range of weapons including the M230LF 30mm cannon, .50 caliber machine guns, and automatic grenade launchers. It is one of the few medium-caliber remotely operated systems capable of delivering high-precision fire while on the move.

Key features include:

• Stabilized two-axis gimbal with high-accuracy servo control
• Multi-sensor targeting suite with day/night EO/IR cameras and laser rangefinder
• Mounting flexibility for weapons from 5.56 mm to 30 mm
• Combat-proven in Afghanistan and Iraq on various platforms

The system supports hunter-killer operations and is interoperable with NATO-standard battle management systems. It also integrates seamlessly with active protection systems (APS), enhancing survivability in high-threat environments.

Integration with Redback IFV Fleet

The Redback IFV—Hanwha’s contender that won Australia’s LAND 400 Phase 3 competition—is a tracked infantry fighting vehicle based on South Korea’s K21 chassis but extensively modified for Australian requirements. The platform includes advanced armor protection, Iron Fist APS from Elbit Systems, and a manned turret fitted with a Bushmaster II Mk44S 30mm cannon.

The addition of the EOS R400 as an auxiliary weapon station enhances situational awareness and provides commanders or gunners with an independent sight line and engagement capability. This allows simultaneous target acquisition and engagement by multiple crew members—a critical feature in urban or complex terrain operations.

Sovereign Industrial Capability and Local Assembly

A major factor in selecting the EOS RWS was its domestic production footprint. Electro Optic Systems is headquartered in Canberra and operates several manufacturing facilities across Australia. The company confirmed that over 90% of the components for the RWS will be sourced locally or assembled within Australia under sovereign industry capability guidelines.

This aligns with Australia’s Defence Strategic Review objectives to strengthen local defense manufacturing capacity amid growing regional tensions. The contract is expected to sustain up to 100 jobs across New South Wales and ACT during peak production phases.

Operational Benefits for Dismounted Infantry Support

The integration of an independent remote weapon station significantly improves firepower flexibility at squad level. While the main turret handles primary threats such as armored vehicles or fortified positions, the EOS RWS can engage soft targets like drones, dismounted infantry, or light vehicles without diverting turret resources.

This layered lethality enables rapid threat prioritization and reduces crew workload through automated target tracking features embedded in the fire control system. Additionally, it enhances force protection during static security missions or convoy overwatch roles by providing persistent surveillance coverage through its sensor suite.

Program Timeline and Delivery Outlook

The first batch of Redbacks equipped with EOS RWS is expected to enter service by late 2027 following test integration phases starting in mid-2025. According to Hanwha Defense Australia’s program schedule, full-rate production will ramp up between late-2026 and early-2028 at their Geelong facility in Victoria.

The LAND 400 Phase 3 program aims to deliver up to 129 Redbacks as replacements for aging M113AS4 APCs currently used by mechanized infantry battalions across the Australian Army’s combat brigades.

Conclusion: A Modular Firepower Boost for Next-Gen Armored Forces

The selection of EOS’ battle-proven remote weapon station underscores Australia’s commitment to integrating modular lethality enhancements into its next-generation armored fleet. By combining manned turrets with independently operated sensors and weapons like the R400 Mk2, future combat teams will benefit from greater tactical agility and survivability across diverse operational scenarios—from peer conflict zones to peacekeeping missions.