With unclear prospects: South Korean tank K21-105 for the Indian army
Layout tank K21-105 on display. Photo by Wikimedia Commons
Currently, the Indian armed forces are choosing a new light tank designed for operations in hard-to-reach areas and difficult landscapes. The South Korean company Hanwha Defense is applying for an order with its K21-105 armored vehicle project. To get a lucrative contract, the South Korean armored vehicle manufacturer offers the most active cooperation and other measures.
350 tanks
At the end of April 2021, the Indian Ministry of Defense announced its intention to acquire 350 modern light tanks and issued a corresponding request for information. By mid-June, the department wanted to receive the necessary data and proposals from domestic and foreign manufacturers of armored vehicles. Then it was planned to compare the proposed samples and choose the most successful one for subsequent purchases.
Some requirements for the desired combat vehicle were revealed. The combat weight of the new tank should be within 25 tons. At the same time, it is necessary to ensure the maximum possible indicators of protection and firepower. The mobility of the tank must correspond to the specifics of operation on different landscapes, with special attention being paid to work in mountainous areas.
In accordance with the Make in India plan, it is required to localize production as much as possible. Regardless of its origin, domestic or imported, a maximum of components and the tank itself must be assembled at Indian enterprises.
Procurement will be carried out in several stages in large quantities. However, their timing, cost and other features have not yet been specified. Probably, they will be determined by the results of negotiations with the performer and will be announced only in the future.
Full-fledged prototype at the exhibition. Photo military-today.com
It is assumed that the prerequisite for the launch of a new tank tender was the border confrontation with China in mountainous areas. Unlike the Indian Army, the PLA has specialized light/medium tanks capable of operating effectively in the mountains. According to the results of the announced competition, India will be able to ensure parity and level the existing threats.
Korean proposal
Applications for the Indian competition ended more than six months ago, but its current status and prospects remain unclear. Moreover, even the list of participants and contenders for the contract is unknown. Only the participation of the South Korean company Hanwha Defense with the K21-105 medium tank project was reported. The company announced its desire to compete for the Indian contract in May, a few days after the release of the request for information.
Already at that time, the South Korean company was talking about the possibility of fulfilling all the wishes of the customer. In particular, the production of tanks can be organized at the Indian enterprise Larsen & Toubro. It is already assembling South Korean K9 self-propelled howitzers for India, and such cooperation could develop.
A few days ago, Hanwha Defense revealed new details of its proposal. It is alleged that a fully equipped medium tank is presented for the competition. It has a full range of weapons, protective equipment and additional equipment. At the same time, the development company is ready to change the configuration of the armored vehicle in accordance with the requirements of the customer.
An experienced tank at the training ground. Hanwha Defense Photos
It is reported about the adoption of certain measures aimed at reducing the combat mass. Their nature and possible weight savings are not specified. The developer company indicates that the K21-105 tank in its current version is capable of fighting in the mountains. This is facilitated by a gun mount with vertical aiming angles from -10° to +42°.
Features and Benefits
The K21-105 is a state-of-the-art light/medium tank that combines limited manufacturing and operating costs with the highest possible performance. Samples of this kind, it is believed, should be of interest to poor countries or armies that have special requirements for technology.
The South Korean tank is built on the chassis of the serial K21 infantry fighting vehicle. The body of such a chassis is built of metal armor with ceramic elements. All-round protection against 14,5 mm bullets and frontal projection resistance to 30 mm projectiles are declared. It is possible to use dynamic and active protection. Fire-extinguishing equipment and anti-nuclear protection are regularly installed. Depending on the configuration, the combat weight reaches or exceeds 25 tons.
The chassis is equipped with a Doosan D2840LXE diesel engine with an HP 750 power. The six-roller undercarriage is equipped with a hydropneumatic suspension. The machine is capable of speeds up to 70 km/h on land and up to 6 km/h on water. Power reserve - 450 km.
Tank on trial. Photo military-today.com
The K21-105 is equipped with a CMI Defense CT-CV fighting compartment. This is a double turret with advanced weapons and modern fire control facilities. chief weapons the tank becomes a 105-mm rifled gun with an automatic loader, capable of using NATO standard unitary rounds and Falarick 105 guided missiles. A normal-caliber machine gun is paired with the gun. There are smoke grenade launchers. The SLA includes combined gunner and commander sights, as well as digital weapon controls.
Tank K21-105 is able to effectively deal with light and medium armored vehicles. It is possible to defeat even medium or main tanks of obsolete types. With such firepower, the armored vehicle retains mobility at the level of a serial infantry fighting vehicle, incl. the ability to overcome water obstacles by swimming. In addition, the medium tank from Hanwha Defense is cheaper than full-fledged modern MBTs.
Competition and its participants
By itself, the medium tank K21-105 looks interesting, but its prospects in the current Indian tender are not clear. It is still unknown how the tank meets the requirements of the customer. In addition, the Indian side does not comment on the South Korean proposal and the optimistic statements of the developer company.
It is noteworthy that the list of tender participants is also unknown. So far, only South Korea has reported its desire to receive an Indian order. This hardly indicates the absence of other proposals, but other contenders for the contract, for unknown reasons, are in no hurry to openly declare their participation. Perhaps in the future, India will reveal at least the most basic details of the competition.
Fire tests. Photo military-today.com
It should be recalled that a few months before the start of the tender, in the fall of 2020, information appeared in the Indian media about negotiations on the possible purchase of Russian armored vehicles. According to themes news, the Indian army became interested in the Russian "light tank" 2S25M "Octopus-SDM1". A contract for the supply of a certain number of such machines could appear before the end of the year. However, such reports were not confirmed, and no real order was reported, and the current competition generally refutes this news.
Whether the Russian Sprut-SDM1 participates in the new tender is unknown. At the same time, it can be assumed that if he participates, he has every chance of winning and receiving a contract. This will be facilitated by a successful combination of technical and combat characteristics, as well as the presence of a number of important features.
Unclear future
Apparently, India continues to consider applications and evaluate foreign models of armored vehicles. In the foreseeable future, these processes will end with the selection of the most successful tank and launch negotiations on the organization of production. What armored vehicle will be recommended for adoption is unknown. Moreover, the list of applicants is also unknown.
However, it should be expected that the competition will be brought to its logical end, and a new light / medium tank will go into service with the Indian army. The current military-political situation is forcing India to take action. Without a new tank, the country will not be able to effectively defend its interests in the disputed border areas, which will lead to new serious military and political risks.
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