Hanwha Defence Australia
Joe Simonetta MIEAust CPEng NER is a seasoned engineering professional with extensive experience in system and mechanical/electrical engineering management. Currently serving as the System Engineering Manager at Hanwha Defense Australia since January 2024, Joe previously held the position of Systems Engineering Manager at Saab Australia from March 2021 to January 2024. Joe's earlier roles include Mechanical/Electrical Engineering Manager and Platform Technical Manager at Elbit Systems of Australia Pty Ltd, and Design Manager for Land Systems at Thales Australia. Prior to this, Joe contributed as a Senior Project Engineer at General Motors, focusing on brake systems and steering design. Joe holds a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from Swinburne University of Technology, completed between 1992 and 1997.
Hanwha Defence Australia
Hanwha Defense Australia (HDA) has been selected as the sole source for LAND 8116, a $1 billion project which will see the Commonwealth acquire self-propelled artillery to be manufactured in the Greater Geelong area of Victoria. The company is also producing 129 of the Redback Infantry Fighting Vehicles for the Commonwealth under Land 400 Phase 3. Hanwha Defence Australia is a subsidiary of Hanwha Aerospace, the largest and the most influential defense corporations in South Korea. HDA is building its Hanwha Armoured Vehicle Centre of Excellence (H-ACE) manufacturing in Geelong, Victoria. the facility is due to be complete in Q3 2024. It is anticipated the facility will support all Hanwha vehicle fleets and serve as an Australian industrial and SME (small to medium enterprise) base that can work with Hanwha both globally and domestically. An important aspect of this will be the creation of opportunities for both Australian and Korean companies in their respective national supply chains.