K21 Armored Vehicle Now Targeting Export to Latvia [Yang Nak-gyu's Defence Club]
Introduction of over 100 armored vehicles... Amounting to 4 trillion won
Local testing underway 'Excellent price and performance'
Hanwha Aerospace's K21 Infantry Fighting Vehicle (IFV) is drawing attention as it may signal the first defense export deal next year. Latvia, which shares a border with Russia, is currently conducting an armored vehicle project and is reported to have completed trial evaluations of candidate models.
According to a government official on the 15th, "Latvia is proceeding with a purchase project for about 100 Infantry Fighting Vehicles (IFVs) worth 3 billion euros (approximately 4.31 trillion KRW), and recently completed trial evaluations involving three companies, including Hanwha Aerospace."
The K21 Infantry Fighting Vehicle underwent trial evaluations at the Latvian Kadaga military base from October 30 to November 17. The K21 IFV, which is deployed with the Republic of Korea Army's 11th Maneuver Division, reportedly received high scores in main and secondary weapon live-fire tests as well as night firing. The final results of the trial evaluations are expected to be announced early next year.
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Latvia, which borders Russia, was annexed by the former Soviet Union during World War II and regained independence shortly before the Soviet Union's collapse. Due to concerns that Russia might target Latvia next, the country is accelerating the project. A Request for Proposal (RFP) is expected to be issued in the first quarter of next year. Competitors in this project include the ASCOD, jointly developed by Austria and Spain, and the Arma, produced by Otokar, a defense company under Turkey's Ko? Group. Among these, the only model with operational history is the K21 IFV. Notably, while competing models use 30mm main guns, the K21 IFV is equipped with a 40mm main gun and is approximately 30% cheaper in price.
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