According to information published on the South Korean website "KBS World" on October 21 October 2022, Poland is considering the acquisition of South Korean AS-21 Redback tracked armored IFVs (Infantry Fighting Vehicles). At the same time, The Polish Minister of Defense Mariusz Błaszczak announced that AS21 Redback will be tested by the 16th Mechanized Division of the Polish army.
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The South Korean AS-21 Redback tracked armored IFV Infantry Fighting Vehicle will be tested by the Polish army. (Picture source Poland MoD)
The Polish Minister of Defense Mariusz Błaszczak also announced on his Twitter account, that the AS21 Redback could be an option to strengthen mechanized brigades of the Polish army but the main choice is the Polish-made Borsuk tracked armored IFV (Infantry Fighting Vehicle) that will be tested soon by the 16th Mechanized Division of the Polish army.
Poland continues to extend its relations with Korea in terms of the acquisition of military equipment. On October 20, Hanwha Defense officially confirmed that Poland and South Korea entered into a Framework Contract on October 19 for the delivery of 288 K239 Chunmoo Multiple Rocket Launcher Systems (MRLS).
In July 2022, Poland announced the signature of several contracts with South Korea for the purchase of 980 K2 Main Battle Tanks, 648 K9 155mm tracked self-propelled howitzers and 48 FA-50 fighter aircraft.
The AS21 Redback is the latest generation of tracked armored IFV developed and designed by the South Korean company Hanwha Defense. It uses the latest technologies in terms of mobility, firepower, and protection. The first prototype of the vehicle was unveiled in 2019 and it is one of the candidates of the LAND 400 Phase 3 program of the Australian army.
The AS21 Redback has a conventional design for a modern IFV but it integrates new types of armor offering protection STANAG 4569 Level 2 to 6 as well as an APS (Active Protection System). It has a crew of three and can accommodate up to eight infantrymen at the rear of the hull.
The AS21 Redback is fitted with a two-man turret which is armed with one Bushmaster MK44S 30mm cannon, a 7.62mm coaxial machine gun, 76mm smoke grenade dischargers, and two SPIKE LR2 anti-tank missile launchers.
In terms of mobility, the AS21 Redback is powered by an MTU eight-cylinder diesel engine developing 1,000 hp. It can run to a maximum road speed of 65 km/h with a maximum cruising range of 520 km. The vehicle uses composite rubber tracks to ensure improved mobility over rough terrains.
