Hanwha Aerospace of South Korea, known for its reliability from exporting K-9 self-propelled artillery (K-9) to NATO countries, is actively expanding its presence within NATO. The company recently made its first export of a modular charge system (MCS) for NATO-standard artillery shells to the United Kingdom and is seeking further exports of K-9 units and its inaugural armored vehicle to NATO members.
The defense industry revealed on Feb. 29 that Hanwha Aerospace is participating in the Latvian Army’s project to replace armored vehicles, proposing the K-21 infantry fighting vehicle (K-21) for this purpose. Latvia intends to replace its outdated British-made CVR-T armored vehicles by 2028, with the project involving around 100 units and valued at approximately $3 billion (4 trillion won). Armored vehicles are central to this upgrade, designed with steel plating for troop protection and offensive capabilities via turrets.
Latvia regained independence in 1991 after 50 years under Soviet occupation and joined NATO in 2004. It is strategically positioned near Russia, underscoring its need for enhanced defense capabilities.
The K-21 competes with the Tulpar armored vehicle from Türkiye’s Otokar and the ASCOD from the Austrian-Spanish joint venture GDELS. Following a local trial evaluation of these three options by the Latvian Defense Ministry last November, the K-21 stands out for its combat experience and firepower.
Addressing the limitations of its K-200 series predecessors, the K-21 has been in mass production since 2009, boasting over 460 units in military service. It is armed with a 40-millimeter machine gun capable of penetrating 100-130-millimeter steel plates over distances exceeding 1 kilometer, thanks to the Armor Piercing Fin Stabilized Discarding Sabot (APFSDS) rounds.
The K-21 features a 750-hp engine, achieving speeds up to 70 kilometers per hour on flat surfaces and 40 kilometers per hour on rugged terrain. It also possesses amphibious capabilities, facilitated by rubberized pontoons for buoyancy and a frontal dash plate for river navigation at speeds up to 6 kilometers per hour. With a capacity for 12 people, including three crew members and nine-foot soldiers, the K-21 serves as the foundation for the Redback (AS-21), another Hanwha Aerospace export to Australia, adaptable for various configurations. The Redback was developed to meet the needs of the Australian military and the local climate. Many technologies applied to the Redback can be used in the K-21 for the Latvian army.
The K-21 supports an array of missiles, such as the AT-1K Raybolt (Hyeongung in Korean), a medium-range anti-tank missile, and TAipers (Cheongeom in Korean), a precision-guided anti-tank missile. At a recent defense exhibition in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, Hanwha Aerospace showcased the Cheongeom, which was adapted from an air-to-ground missile to a ground-to-ground missile for use in armored vehicles.
Hanwha Aerospace’s influence in the NATO defense sector is rising, with five NATO members—Türkiye, Finland, Norway, Estonia, and Poland—currently operating Hanwha Aerospace’s K-9 units. There is speculation within the industry about a potential K-9 export to Romania, another NATO country, expected in the first half of this year. An official from Hanwha Aerospace said, “The matter is under discussion, and nothing has been finalized yet.”
