Philip Smart | Adelaide
Australian company Electro Optic Systems (EOS), known for its remote weapons stations and tracking and engagement systems, has been awarded a $9.3 million contract to provide advanced military sub-systems and components to South Korean industrial powerhouse Hyundai-Wia.
EOS is a leader in the development and production of robotic or remotely-controlled weapon stations (RWS) and has sold or deployed more than 1,300 units through US, NATO, Australian and allied forces, including naval weapon systems, armoured vehicle turrets and remote controlled mobile weapon systems. Australian Bushmaster protected mobility vehicles mount an EOS remote weapon station.
EOS did not detail what equipment was to be provided for South Korea, but according to CEO, Dr Ben Greene the contract will provide the customer with leading-edge capabilities in integrated surveillance and firepower for force protection.
“Systems deployed for armed surveillance to protect troops operating close to, but not involved in, an active conflict must operate on high alert, and with superior weapon safety to avoid unintended provocations,” he said.
“EOS’s experience in active theatres of operation around the world, Hyundai-Wia’s engineering and production capabilities and the advanced technology of both companies have been combined to produce new systems that can automatically detect military activity at extreme ranges and discriminate between activity types to assess threats. The new capabilities allow users to engage persisting intruders with non-lethal or lethal force at very long range.”
The new deal stems from a 2012 teaming agreement with South Korean Defence company Hyundai-Wia, part of the Hyundai Group that also builds cars and machine tools. Hyundai-Wia’s defence arm manufactures aircraft parts and defence systems including artillery. Its 76mm gun is in service with the South Korean Navy and has been offered for Malaysia’s upcoming Corvette program.
In late 2012 one customer selected EOS-Hyundai-Wia surveillance and force protection equipment for a long term trial that included two years of operational deployment and direct comparison with competing products. The resulting contract with Hyundai-Wia will give EOS around $9.3 million worth of workshare over 12 months, beginning in the third quarter of 2015. Hyundia-Wia will also produce some EOS designs under licence.
The announced award is an initial tranche, with possible future acquisitions extending over four to five years and requiring five times the equipment currently under order.
Larger programs requiring similar equipment have already been initiated by the same customer, and Hyundai-Wia and EOS now plan to compete for those requirements as well as further opportunities in the international market.