Hanwha Aerospace from South Korea Competes in Latvia with Its K21 Infantry Fighting Vehicle.

Citing information reported by the South Korean business magazine "Business Korea" on March 27, 2023, Latvia appears to be leaning towards enhancing its military capabilities with the addition of South Korea's advanced K21 Infantry Fighting Vehicles (IFVs). Manufactured by Hanwha Aerospace, the K21 is in the running to become the cornerstone of Latvia's armed forces' combat vehicles arsenal.

The K21 is the current Infantry Fighting Vehicle in service with the mechanized units of the South Korean armed forces. (Picture source Army Recognition Group)

Latvia's Ministry of Defense is in the midst of an extensive evaluation process to select a suitable IFV to increase its armed forces' combat capabilities. The project outlines the acquisition of 100 state-of-the-art IFVs to bolster the nation's defense capabilities. Among the contenders are Hanwha Aerospace's K21, the ASCOD by General Dynamics European Land Systems, and the Tulpar from the Turkish defense manufacturer, Otokar.

Over a rigorous three-week testing phase conducted in October 2023, the K21 underwent comprehensive assessments focusing on its mobility and firepower capabilities. According to the tests conducted by the Latvian armed forces, the K21 emerged as a frontrunner, outperforming its competitors significantly in both evaluated aspects. The vehicle's superior firepower, coupled with its competitive pricing—being 30-40% cheaper than its counterparts—has positioned it as the likely choice for Latvia.

Developed to modernize the Republic of Korea (ROK) Army's armored capabilities, the K21 infantry fighting vehicle represents a significant advancement from its predecessor, the K200 series. Originating from the expertise of Doosan Infracore, a branch of Doosan Corporation, the journey of the K21 began with the delivery of three NIFV prototypes to the ROK Army in 2005 by Doosan DST, after a decade of development. The commencement of its production in 2009 followed the signing of a substantial contract in October 2008 with the Defence Acquisition Programme Administration (DAPA) of the South Korean Ministry of Defense. This initial contract, valued at $386.7 million, was for the supply of the first batch of K21 armored vehicles.

Armed with a robust two-man turret, the K21 boasts a 40mm cannon alongside two anti-tank guided missile launchers. The cannon's impressive rate of fire reaches 300 rounds per minute, with projectiles achieving a velocity of 1,005 meters per second. Its armor-piercing fin-stabilized discarding sabot (APFSDS) rounds are capable of penetrating up to 220mm of armor, thanks to their self-sharpening feature. Complementing the main armament, the vehicle is equipped with third-generation anti-tank guided missiles, comparable in performance to the Israeli Spike missile, capable of breaching armor up to 1,000mm thick. A coaxial 7.62mm machine gun serves as the secondary armament.

The operational crew of the K21 consists of three members, with the additional capacity to transport up to nine fully equipped soldiers. Entry and exit for troops are facilitated by a power-operated rear ramp, which includes integral doors, while roof hatches provide additional access points for firing and emergency egress. The armor system of the K21 incorporates layers of glass fiber, ceramic, and aluminum alloy, offering frontal protection against 30 mm armor-piercing rounds and all-around defense against 14.5 mm armor-piercing projectiles.

Powered by a Doosan D2848LXE turbocharged diesel engine from South Korea, generating 680 horsepower, the K21 IFV achieves a top road speed of 70 km/h and boasts a maximum range of 450 km. Its hydropneumatic suspension and sophisticated running gear underscore its mobility. Designed for amphibious operations, the K21 can transition to water activities with minimal preparation, employing automatic built-in flotation bags for buoyancy. Once in the water, the vehicle is propelled by its tracks, reaching speeds of up to 6 km/h, which enables it to traverse lakes and rivers effectively.

The recent success of the South Korean defense industry highlights a significant trend in global military procurement, underscoring South Korea's growing influence in the defense sector. With Hanwha Aerospace's K21 being considered by Latvia, and other notable contracts such as Poland's acquisition of the K2 Black Panther tanks and Australia's decision to purchase the AS21 Redback IFVs, South Korea's defense products are increasingly being recognized for their advanced technology, reliability, and cost-effectiveness. These achievements not only mark a pivotal shift towards the diversification of military suppliers by countries around the world but also affirm South Korea's position as a leading exporter of cutting-edge military hardware to land forces globally.

Defense News March 2024