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| Description |
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The K-21 IFV or NIFV (Next Infantry Fighting Vehicle) was developed in South Korea by Doosan to replace the old KIFV. The K-21, whose development began in late 1999 in the hope of strengthening the Korean military’s combat capability, entered into mass production this year after the operation, evaluation, and testing of pilot products at field sites. Production of the new IFV commenced in 2008 and approximately 900 vehicles are planned to be built. The K-21 is significantly lighter comparing with most modern IFVs, as it was designed using composite materials to save weight wherever possible. The K-21 infantry fighting vehicle has a great degree of advanced high-tech systems used including battle management system, internal navigation, vehicular information systems and identification system which recognizes friend and enemy vehicles. The vehicle is equipped with a 40-mm automatic cannon and a 7.62-mm machine gun as its key weapons. When a third-generation vehicle-to-tank missile is installed at a later date, it will transform it into the strongest armed vehicle of the 21st century, capable of attacking not only an enemy’s armed vehicles but also tanks and helicopters. The K-21 is deployed to field sites for operation from the end of december 2009. In November 2009, Doosan DST held a ceremony to mark the first shipment of K-21 infantry combat armed vehicles, which have been mass produced for the first time, at its Changwon Plant. The K-21 has been evaluated as superior to the M2A3 of the U.S. and the BMP-3 of Russia, which are regarded as the world’s strongest combat vehicles in this category, in terms of fire power, the capacity to manage battlefields, and mobility. Doosan DST plans to actively pursue the K-21’s export to the Middle East, Southeast Asia, and Latin America by banking on its excellent performance and competitive price.
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Variants :
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| No variants at this moment. |
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| Armament |
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The two-man turret on the K-21 is armed with a 40 mm gun capable of firing APFSDS, high-explosive, smoke and multipurpose munitions, and a 7.62 mm machine gun. This will be combined with an advanced fire-control system and gun stabilizer usually found on third-generation main battle tanks that will make the K-21, able to move and engage the targets with high degree of accuracy at the same time. The K-21 is also equipped with anti-tank launcher mounted to the left side of the turret.
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| Protection |
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The frontal armor of the K-21 is specifically designed to protect against large caliber automatic cannon rounds, primarily the 30 mm APDS munitions for 2A72 automatic cannon used on BMP-3, which has approximately 50 mm armor penetration at ranges of 1,000 m. The side armor of K-21 is designed to protect against 14.5 mm AP rounds, which has approximately 25 mm armor penetration at ranges of 1,000 m. The top can withstand fragments from 152 mm artillery shells exploding as close as 10 meters. The K-21 protection also includes an active protection suite and hard-kill anti-missile system similar to the AWiSS that will also be utilized for the K2 main battle tank. This will increase the vehicle's ability to defend itself against various ATGMs (Anti-Tank Guided Missile). The K-21 is equipped with laser and heat sensors to detect imminent enemy attack. The K-21 can enga ge in C4I warfare, using digital communication, GPS systems and inter-vehicle digital links. The vehicle can conduct missions day or night.
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| Propulsion |
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The K-21 is equipped with Doosan D2840LXE V-10 diesel engine, equipped with a turbocharger, this engine has a power of 750 hp. The K-21 can run at a maximum speed of 70 km/h. on road and 40 km/h. on croos-country. The K21 uses the in-arm suspension units (ISU) that enable the vehicle to lean toward a side, or corner, as each in-arm suspension unit can be controlled individually. The K-21 is equipped to each side of the chassis with six single rubber-tyred road wheels with the drive sprocket at the front and the idler at the rear.
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| Accessories |
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The K-21 is amphibious with a help of an automatic flotation bags. The K21 IFV is fully amphibious with minimum of preparation. Floatation bags are activated, before entering the water. On water this armored vehicle is propelled by it's tracks.
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| Specifications |
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Armament
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One 40 mm automatic gun, two anti-tank missile launcher, one 7,62 mm calibre coaxial machine gun.
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Country users
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South Korea
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Designer Company
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Doosan Mottrol
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Accessories
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NBC protection, firing computer, night/day vision
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Crew
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3 + 9 soldiers
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Armor
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Layers consisting of soft-kill anti-missile defense systems, ceramic, glass fiber, modular & new unknown type of composite armor
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Weight
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27,000 kg
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Speed
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70 km/h on road, 6 km/h on water.
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Range
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450 km
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Dimensions
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Lenght, 6,9 m; Width, 3,4 m; Height, 2,6 m
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