South Korea to Test Australia’s ‘Redback’ Infantry Fighting Vehicle
The country plans to acquire more next-generation infantry vehicles over the long term.
The South Korean military will trial Australia’s new Redback infantry fighting vehicle (IFV) next year, according to its Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA).
The trials will assess the combat vehicle’s capabilities and include tactical field training and driving exercises on paved and unpaved roads.
Korean soldiers will get a first-hand experience of Iron Vision, an IFV feature that allows the crew to see through the vehicle armor through images projected onto helmet-mounted displays. They will also evaluate Redback’s rubber tracks designed to reduce noise and vibration for better ride quality.
South Korea currently operates the K21 IFV. The country plans to acquire more next-generation infantry vehicles to meet its operational requirements over the long term.
“The Korean Army’s interest in the Redback and Hanwha’s global IFV ambitions could create export opportunities for Australian Industry given the importance of secondary supply chain security for South Korea,” Hanwha Defense Australia stated in a press release.
The Redback
Hanwha has developed the new infantry vehicle with enhanced protection, firepower, and performance to meet future warfare requirements. The vehicles have been designed to meet the demanding requirements outlined in the country’s Land 400 Phase 3 project.
The Redback can carry up to 11 people at a maximum speed of 65 kilometers (40 miles) per hour. It is equipped with a 30mm cannon and a 7.62 mm machine gun.
The government of Australia plans to invest $18 billion to $27 billion in acquiring 450 IFVs to replace its M113 armored personnel carriers. This year, three Redbacks have already been delivered to undergo Risk Mitigation Activity (RMA) trials.
