Plasan from Israel and Hanwha Join Forces to Armor Australia's AS21 Redback IFVs.

In a significant move in military defense technology, Israeli Company Plasan has announced a partnership with Hanwha Defense Australia to develop a comprehensive survivability package for the future Australian AS21 Redback tracked armored Infantry Fighting Vehicles (IFV), according to a press release issued on August 6, 2023.
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Tracked armored IFV AS21 Redback KIBBUTS SASA, ISRAEL, July 31st, 2023. (Picture source Plasan)

The AS21 Redback, a product of South Korean company Hanwha Defense, represents the latest generation of tracked armored IFVs. This ground-breaking vehicle ushers in a new era of advanced lethality, mobility, and survivability. Designed to provide enhanced protection and high mobility while maintaining superior crew comfort, the Redback accommodates a crew of three and can house an additional eight dismounted troops in its rear compartment.

Further boosting its defense capabilities, the AS-21 Redback is armed with a two-man turret that includes a Bushmaster MK44S 30mm cannon, a MAG 58 7.62mm coaxial machine gun, 76mm multi-barrel smoke grenade dischargers, and two SPIKE LR2 missile launchers. The IFV can also be fitted with an EOS R400S Mk2 HD or R150 remote weapon system and Javelin anti-tank guided missiles.

Powered by an MTU eight-cylinder diesel engine developing 1,000 hp, the Redback can achieve a maximum road speed of over 65 km/h and a cruising range of up to 520 km.

The Redback's exceptional survivability can be attributed to Plasan, who significantly contributed to the vehicle's design transformation from Hanwha’s original K21 model. With robust defenses against high threats such as mine-blast, kinetic, and top attacks, the Redback has set the bar high in its class.

Plasan was chosen by Hanwha Aerospace for the hull protection design and by Elbit Systems for the turret protection design, underlining the company's prowess in protection design.

In July 2023, Australia announced its decision to select the AS21 Redback as the preferred tenderer, aiming to supply 129 AS21 IFVs to the Australian Army. This selection highlights the impressive features and capabilities of the Redback.

Celebrating the partnership and the recent selection, Plasan extended congratulations to its partners at Hanwha Defense Australia, Hanwha Aerospace, and Elbit Systems Land. The company now eagerly looks forward to the next phase – transitioning the Redback design into serial production and eventual deployment in the Australian Army, following successful negotiations.

Defense News August 2023