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| Poland Plans To Acquire AS21 Redback Infantry Fighting Vehicles From South Korea |
Warsaw - It is reported that Poland is considering acquiring the AS21 Redback IFV (Infantry Combat Vehicle) from South Korea. This was informed by KBS World on 21 October 2022. At the same time, Polish Minister of Defense Mariusz Błaszczak announced that the AS21 Redback will be tested by the 16th Mechanized Division of the Polish army.
Mariusz Błaszczak also announced on his Twitter account that the AS21 Redback could be an option to strengthen the mechanized brigade of the Polish army. However, the main choice remains for the domestically made Borsuk IFV, which will soon be tested by the Polish army's 16th Mechanized Division.
Regarding the AS21 Redback, it is a modern generation IFV designed and developed by the South Korean company Hanwha Defense. The company adopts the latest technologies in terms of mobility, firepower and protection. As a driving force, the AS21 Redback is powered by an MTU diesel engine that produces 1,000 hp. This machine can bring the vehicle running up to a maximum speed of 65 km/hour with a maximum cruising range of 520 km.
The vehicle is equipped with a two-man turret armed with one 30mm Bushmaster MK44S cannon, coaxial 7.62mm machine gun, 76mm smoke grenade launcher and two SPIKE LR2 anti-tank missile launchers. The AS21 Redback integrates a new type of armor that offers STANAG 4569 Level 2 to 6 as well as APS (Active Protection System) protection.
The vehicle has a crew of three (driver, commander and weapons operator) and can accommodate up to eight infantrymen in the rear of the hull. The ranpur's first prototype was unveiled in 2019 and is a candidate for the Australian army's LAND 400 Phase 3 program.
Later, since the outbreak of the Russian-Ukrainian war, Poland has continued to expand its relations with South Korea in terms of acquiring military equipment to strengthen its country's defense.
Previously, on October 19, 2022, Hanwha Defense officially confirmed that Poland signed a contract for the delivery of 288 units of K239 Chunmoo MLRS (Multi-barreled Rocket Launching System).
Then in July 2022, Poland announced the signing of several contracts with South Korea for the purchase of 980 units of K2 MBT (Main Battle Tank) and 648 units of K9 155 mm SPH (self-propelled howitzer) and as well as 48 KAI FA-50 light fighter jets.