(사진=한화오션)

[Alpha Biz= Reporter Paul Lee] Hanwha Group is planning to acquire Austal, an Australian defense company. It is a 'big deal' that offers up to 900 billion won for acquisition.

According to foreign media on the 3rd, Hanwha Group recently offered 895 million to 1.02 billion Australian dollars (about 800 billion to 900 billion won) for the acquisition of Austal. It is an additional 'big deal' attempt following the acquisition of Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering for 2 trillion won at the end of 2022. Austal is a Austal-based defense and commercial ship building company that also has shipyards in Alabama, USA.

If the acquisition is successful, Hanwha Group is expected to be able to grow its special ship business, including submarines and ships, at once. Currently, Hanwha is working with Australia on defense projects such as K9 self-propelled howitzers and red bags. The acquisition of Austal is also expected to have synergy effects in the defense sector. Hanwha Ocean first proposed the acquisition to Austal six months ago, and it has been reported that there have been several revisions between the two sides.

Austal said Hanwha's proposal was unlikely to be approved by Australia's foreign regulators. On the contrary, Hanwha believes that the acquisition is likely to succeed and continues negotiations. In fact, only 0.2% of the 4,000 overseas sales of Australian companies over the past three years have not been approved.

 

 

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