 The K21, a high-tech amphibious infantry-fighting vehicle developed by the Agency for Defense Development. / Courtesy of ADD |
By Jung Sung-ki
Staff Reporter
South Korea Friday unveiled a high-tech amphibious infantry-fighting vehicle, the K21, after eight years of research and development.
A modified variant of the K200 vehicle for transportation, the K21 features cutting-edge mobility, survivability and fire power beyond those of other top class armored vehicles in the world, such as the M2A3 from the United States and the BMP-3 of Russia, the Agency for Defense Development (ADD) said.
``The multi-role K21 will boost the Army's independent combat capabilities in future warfare with its increased fire power, mobility and survivability,'' Kim In-woo, a principle researcher of the ADD, said, after a ceremony marking the completion of the K21 in Anheung, South Chungcheong Province. ``The vehicle will be very effective in conducting missions in hilly and river-covered terrain such as that found in Korea.''
The ADD led the development of the K21 in partnership with 11 domestic defense firms led by Doosan Infracore. About $97 million was invested in research and development, Kim said.
The 25-ton vehicle can carry nine fully equipped infantry and three crew members. With a 750 horsepower engine, the armored vehicle can move at a maximum speed of 70 kilometers per hour on paved roads and 40 kilometers per hour on unpaved fields.
It can also cross a river at a speed of 7.8 kilometers per hour with the help of the Water Jet propulsion system. Pontoons will allow the vehicle to float with the help of airbags attached to both sides of the hull.
Its main armament includes a 40mm anti-aircraft gun capable of firing 300 rounds per minute and a 7.62mm machine gun. The 40mm gun is believed to be able to hit aerial targets seven kilometers away. Armor-piercing rounds will be loaded into the guns.
The vehicle will be also fit with sophisticated anti-tank guided missiles, built on the country's own technology, which can hit an enemy vehicle as far as three kilometers away, ADD officials said.
Laser and heat sensors warn of imminent enemy attack. It can engage in C4I warfare, using digital communication, GPS systems and inter-vehicle digital links, they said. The vehicle can conduct missions day or night.
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.
An advanced fire-control system allows the vehicle to engage targets on the move with a high degree of accuracy.
gallantjung@koreatimes.co.kr
