Hanwha Defense AS21 RedBack tracked armored IFV unveiled at ADEX 2019.

 South Korean Company Hanwha Defense Systems has unveiled its new generation of tracked armored IFV (Infantry Fighting Vehicle ) at ADEX 2019, Seoul Aerospace defense Exhibition that was held in South Korea. It is a contender for the Land 400 Phase 3 program of the Australian army aiming to replace the old M113AS4 tracked armored personnel carriers.

Hanwha AS21 Redback AFV unveiled at ADEX 2019, Seoul Aerospace defense Exhibition, South Korea. (Picture source Twitter Account Gladius BellumSS)

The South Korean Company Hanwha Defense Systems was established in 1937 to provide comprehensive defense solutions including infantry fighting vehicles, air defense weapons, guided weapons, launching systems, high-precision navigation, and laser weapons.

The AS21 Redback development is based on the K21 tracked armored IFV (Infantry Fighting Vehicle) which is in service the South Korean Army. It has a larger internal volume to accommodate 8 dismounted troops and a crew of three soldiers (driver, commander and gunner). According to our first analysis, the general layout of the Korean AS 21 Redback seems very similar to the German-made KF41 that was unveiled during the International Defense Exhibition Eurosatory in June 2018.

Like the original K21 IFV, the AS21 Redback is armed with a 40mm automatic cannon, a 7.62mm coaxial machine gun and a 12.7mm machine gun mounted on the top of the turret. The back side of the roof turret is fitted with launchers for anti-tank guided missile.

A Hanwha Defense Systems spokesman said, “With such heritage, Hanwha Defense Systems is able to customize its armored solutions to a variety of specifications in order to meet future warfare requirements of any country.”

The vehicle will be fitted with a new generation of APS (Active Protection System)designed to prevent line-of-sight guided anti-tank missiles/projectiles from acquiring and/or destroying a target.

Hanwha AS21 Redback AFV (Picture source: Twitter Account Gladius BellumSS)