Hanwha AS21 Redback

History

South Korea-based Hanwha Defence Systems is offering an upgraded version of its tracked K21 Infantry Fighting Vehicle (IFV) to serve the modern South Korean Army to meet the Australian Armys LAND 400 requirements. The LAND 400 programme is seeking a direct replacement for the in-service fleet of Australian Light Armoured Vehicle (ASLAV) and M113 (M113AS4) wheeled armoured personnel carriers (APC).

The program consists of four distinct phases - Phase 1, Phase 2, Phase 3, and Phase 4, covering the Program Definition Study (PDS), Vehicular Combat Reconnaissance Capability, Vehicular Close Combat Capability, and Integrated Training System Components, respectively . The Australian model is called AS21 "Redback", named after the Australian native spider species.

The AS21 was unveiled at the Ground Forces Show 2018, showing a conventional track drive with six twin-tire wheels on one side of the hull. The hull itself had plate sides with armored skirts, protecting the upper part of the track.

The glacis slab is flat and slopes nicely towards the top of the tower. A fully movable turret sits on top of the turret with 360-degree unobstructed access. Active Protection Systems (APS) will be added later to automatically defend against incoming missiles and missile threats.

Crew and system survivability has been improved compared to the original K21 scheme. In addition to the typical three-person combat crew - driver, commander and gunner - there is room for up to eight combat-ready infantry.

The armament consists of a 40mm automatic cannon and a coaxial 7.62mm machine gun - both mounted on the turret. Up to ten (five per side) smoke grenade launchers can self-test the vehicle as needed.

The vehicle has an estimated road speed of 70 km/h (reduced to 40 km/h off-road) and a range of nearly 500 km, assuming a turbo diesel engine.

Specification

Basic

Roles

Performance

Performance

Armor

500 x 40mm bullet.

1,000 x 7.62mm ammo.

10 x Smoke Grenade.

Changes