K21 South Korean Amphibious Infantry Fighting Vehicle (IFV)
K-21
Amphibious Infantry Fighting Vehicle (IFV)
Other
Basic Information
Name
K21 South Korean Amphibious Infantry Fighting Vehicle (IFV)
Designation
K-21
Alternate Designation
K-21; The K21 is a South Korean infantry fighting vehicle. A replacement for the K200-series, it was formerly designated as K300 or XK21 KNIFV (Korea Next-generation Infantry Fighting Vehicle).
Equipment Type
Amphibious Infantry Fighting Vehicle (IFV)
Manufacturer
Hanwha
Date of Introduction
2009
Description
The K21 is a South Korean infantry fighting vehicle. A replacement for the K200-series, it was formerly designated as K300 or XK21 KNIFV (Korea Next-generation Infantry Fighting Vehicle). The initial production began in 2009, with the Republic of Korea Army planning to field approximately 466 units. It is designed to effectively defeat other IFVs as heavily armed and armored as the BMP-3. The K21 KNIFV's chassis is constructed entirely out of fiberglass, reducing the weight of the vehicle and enabling it to travel at higher speeds without bulky and powerful engines. The NIFV is to be lighter than other IFVs, including the American Bradley series, increasing both speed and payload. The design was finally deemed production-ready in 2009, following 10 years in development and a research budget expenditure of approximately USD $80 million. More than 85% of the vehicle's design is domestic. However a redesign is in order following the sinking of two vehicles while engaged in amphibious operations. A board of inquiry found that the problem was a lack of buoyancy, a malfunctioning wave plate, and a technical problem with the drain pump, all of which are to be corrected in the new design.
Ground Specifications
Crew
3
Mobility Type
Tracked
Main Weapon
1 x S&T Dynamics K40 40mm Autocannon
Engine
Diesel (680 hp)
NBC Protection
Yes
Max Speed
70.0 km/h
Range
450.0 km
Variants
K21-105
Light Tank version with a 105mm rifled main gun.
System
Alternative Designation
K-21; The K21 is a South Korean infantry fighting vehicle. A replacement for the K200-series, it was formerly designated as K300 or XK21 KNIFV (Korea Next-generation Infantry Fighting Vehicle).
Type
Amphibious Infantry Fighting Vehicle
Manufacturer
Hanwha Defense (originally Daewoo Heavy Industries, later renamed as Doosan DST, follow by Hanwha Defense Systems)
Family
K200 Series
Configuration
Track
Crew
3 ea
Passenger Capacity
9 ea
Dimensions
Length
6.9 m
Width
3.4 m
Height
2.6 m
Weight, Combat
25 tons
Ground Pressure
INA
Automotive
Engine Name
Doosan D2848LXE
Engine Type
Diesel
Engine Power
680 hp
Range
450 km
Speed, Maximum Road
70 km/h
Speed Maximum Swim
6 km/h
Gradient
60%
Side Slope
30%
Vertical Step
0.8 m
Trench
0.8 m
Fording Depth
Amphibious
Main Weapon System
Turret
The Gun is installed on two-man turret with the commander seated on the left and the gunner on the right.
System
Name
1 x S&T Dynamics K40 40mm Autocannon
Type
Autocannon
Caliber
40mm
Quantity
1
Length
3,893 mm
Width
700 mm
Height
1,343 mm
Weight
720 k
Maximum Firing Range
12,000 m
Effective Firing Range
6,000 m (ground); 4,000 m (air)
Rate of Fire
300 rds/mi
Muzzle Velocity
1,005 m/s (HE); 1,400 m/s(AP)
Feeding
Bottom-up, Multiple, Linkles
Operation
Recoil-Operating
Firing Mode
Safety, Single, Burs
Reloading
Magazine down-docking
Ammunition
Type
PFHE, APFSDS, MMFA, T
Caliber
40mm mm
Shell
INA
Basic Load
40 Rounds
Auxiliary Weapon System
System
Name
K12
Type
General-Purpose Machine Gun
Caliber
7.62 mm
Manufacturer
S&T Daewoo
Quantity
2 x K12 7.62mm General Purpose Machine Guns
Length
1,234 mm
Barrel Length
560 mm
Weight
12 kg
Action
Gas-operated, rotating bolt
Rate of Fire
650-950 rounds/min (rpm)
Effective Firing Range
800 m
Feed System
Disintegrating M13 belt
Ammunition
Type
Rifle
Caliber
7.62 mm
Cartridge
7.62×51mm NATO
Basic Load
INA
Anti-Tank Guided Missiles (ATGM)
Note
The K-21 also carries two indigenously developed ATGW launchers, but exact details and number of missiles carried are unknown.
Fire Control
Name
INA
Computerized FCS
Yes, The fire-control system is able to spot and track targets as far away as 6,000 metres (3.7 mi) away and identify them from up to 3,000 metres (1.9 mi) away. IFF sensors are also present. The vehicle also has hunter-killer capabilities with its separate commander's sight (IFV Commander's Panoramic Sight or ICPS) and gunner's sight (IFV Gunner's Primary Sight or IGPS), which can detect both ground and aerial targets. The sights are designed by Samsung Thales.
Thermal Sight Vehicle Commander
Yes, The commander's sight is equipped with the same system as the gunner's. This allows the gunner to use the commander's sight to engage targets if his own sight is disabled or destroyed. The commander of the vehicle also has the ability to override the command to take control of the turret and gun from the gunner.
Thermal Sight Gunner
Yes, The gunner's sight is equipped with a third generation thermal viewer and a 1.54 μm laser rangefinder. It can detect targets from 6,000 meters away and identify them from 3,000 meters away.
Main Gun Stabilization
Yes
IFF
Yes
Battle Management System
Yes, The K21 is able to carry a total of 9 passengers and 3 more vehicle crew members. With the Battle Management System, the vehicle crew and passengers inside the vehicle can be instantly notified about the environment around them, improving their situational awareness. A 15 in (38 cm) screen is installed inside the passenger compartment, which provides various data from the BMS. The vehicle is mounted with an external CCD camera, and the passengers inside can survey the environment using the same screen.
Vehicular Information System
Yes
Protection
Hull Armor
2519 aluminium alloy chassis. Layers consisting of S2 glass fiber reinforced Al2O3 ceramic armor. All round protection against 14.5×114mm API projectiles as well as 20 mm FSP.
Frontal armour is resistant to 30 mm APDS rounds fired from a 2A72 autocannon (standard on BMP-3 turrets).
Roof armour is resistant to 155 mm artillery shell fragments.
Turret Armor
All round protection against 14.5×114mm API projectiles as well as 20 mm FSP
Applique Armor
Available
Explosive Reactive Armor
Soft- and hard-kill anti-missile defense systems, ERA, NERA (only for the K21 PIP)
Active Protection System
INA
Mine Clearing
No
Self-Entrenching Blade
No
NBC Protection
Yes
Smoke Equipment
Yes
Details
Country of Origin
South Korea
Category
Land
Land
Filter Label
K
Classification
Domain
Ground
Equipment Status
Active
Dimensions
Length
6.9 m
Width
3.4 m
Height
2.6 m
Weight
25000 kg
Operators (1)
South Korea
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