South Korea Ordering New K21 Infantry Fighting Vehicles
South Korea is advancing its military modernization by increasing the size of its K21 Infantry Fighting Vehicles (IFVs) fleet. The K21, developed by Hanwha Defense, serves as the main fighting vehicle of the ROK Army’s mechanized infantry units, offering a mix of mobility, firepower, and protection with limited anti-tank capabilities.
According to reports in December 2024, South Korea’s Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) approved a fourth production run of the K21, planned previously in December 2023, by allocating approximately $592 million for this phase. The 4th manufacturing phase is aimed at phasing out the K200A1 APCs remaining in service, unifying the mechanized forces and their combat capabilities.
First introduced in 2009, the K21 was designed to replace the older K200 series. Weighing approximately 25 tonnes, it features a composite armor system that provides robust defense against small arms fire and artillery fragments. Its amphibious capabilities enable operations across diverse terrains, including river crossings. The vehicle is equipped with a 40mm automatic cannon, a 7.62mm coaxial machine gun, and provisions for anti-tank guided missiles, allowing it to engage various threats on the battlefield effectively.
Concurrently, Hanwha Defense has been developing an advanced variant of the K21, known as the AS21 Redback. This model incorporates significant enhancements, including improved armor, a modernized turret equipped with a 30mm Bushmaster cannon, and the integration of Spike LR anti-tank guided missiles. The Redback has garnered international attention, notably being selected by the Australian Army in July 2023 for its LAND 400 Phase 3 program, while being tested by the Polish Armed Forces alongside.
The success of the Redback in Australia has prompted the ROKA to evaluate this advanced IFV for its future requirements. In July 2024, reports indicated that the Redback-eX, a variant tailored for South Korean needs, is under consideration as a potential candidate for the country’s next-generation IFV program, preceding the development of a new platform referred to as the K-NIFV.
The 4th production run evaluated at 120 vehicles due to data provided in 2023 marks the final step in the overall modernization of ROK Army’s heavy equipment for its mechanized forces. The K21 will provide sufficient firepower and protection against any threat to Korean infantry, while the perspectives for future replacement of the vehicle by a more advanced AS-21 variant are clearly on the horizon.