D
Land ForcesSouth Korea

K21

Amphibious infantry fighting vehicleFielded 2009Pending verification
Land ForcesKOR
K21
Photo: 대한민국 국군 Republic of Korea Armed Forces · CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
Fact cardConfidence · Source
System
TypeAmphibious infantry fighting vehicle
Date of introduction2009
ProliferationOrigin country only
ManufacturerHanwha Defense (originally Daewoo Heavy Industries, later renamed as Doosan DST, follow by Hanwha Defense Systems)Med[1]
ConfigurationTrackMed[1]
Crew3Med[1]
Dimensions and weight
Length6.9 m23 ftMed[1]
Width3.4 m11 ftMed[1]
Height2.6 m9 ftMed[1]
Combat weight25 tMed[1]
Automotive performance
EngineDoosan D2848LXEMed[1]
Engine power680 hpMed[1]
Cruising range450 km280 mi · 243 nmiMed[1]
Max road speed70 km/h43 mph · 38 ktMed[1]
Swim speed6 km/h4 mph · 3 ktMed[1]
Fording depthAmphibiousMed[1]
Protection
Hull Armor2519 aluminium alloy chassis. Layers consisting of S2 glass fiber reinforced Al2O3 ceramic armor. All round protection against 14.5×114mm API projectiles as well as 20 mm FSP. Frontal armour is resistant to 30 mm APDS rounds fired from a 2AMed[1]
Turret ArmorAll round protection against 14.5×114mm API projectiles as well as 20 mm FSPMed[1]
Applique ArmorAvailableMed[1]
Explosive reactive armorSoft- and hard-kill anti-missile defense systems, ERA, NERA (only for the K21 PIP)Med[1]
NBC ProtectionYesMed[1]
Smoke EquipmentYesMed[1]
Armament
Secondary armamentK12Med[1]
Fire control
Computerized FCSYes, The fire-control system is able to spot and track targets as far away as 6,000 metres (3.7 mi) away and identify them from up to 3,000 metres (1.9 mi) away. IFF sensors are also present. The vehicle also has hunter-killer capabilities Med[1]
Thermal Sight Vehicle CommanderYes, The commander's sight is equipped with the same system as the gunner's. This allows the gunner to use the commander's sight to engage targets if his own sight is disabled or destroyed. The commander of the vehicle also has the ability Med[1]
Thermal Sight GunnerYes, The gunner's sight is equipped with a third generation thermal viewer and a 1.54 μm laser rangefinder. It can detect targets from 6,000 meters away and identify them from 3,000 meters away.Med[1]
Main Gun StabilizationYesMed[1]
Variants
Ammunition noteThe K-21 also carries two indigenously developed ATGW launchers, but exact details and number of missiles carried are unknown.[1]
K21-105Light Tank version with a 105mm rifled main gun.[1]
Weapons and payload options · 1Confidence · Source
PFHE, APFSDS, MMFA, T40mm ammunition
Med[1]
Quantity
40 Rounds
Summary

The K21 is a South Korean infantry fighting vehicle. A replacement for the K200-series, it was formerly designated as K300 or XK21 KNIFV (Korea Next-generation Infantry Fighting Vehicle).

Draft entry. Values come from the cited public sources and are awaiting editor verification.
CompareJSON
Operators
South Korea
Sources
  1. K21 South Korean Amphibious Infantry Fighting Vehicle (IFV), U.S. Army TRADOC G-2 Worldwide Equipment Guide (ODIN)
    Published/updated 2026-03-20 · Tier 1 · checked 2026-10-10
Change log
  • 2026-10-10 Entry created from the Worldwide Equipment Guide (ODIN), bulk import
  • 2026-10-10 Added photo (CC BY-SA 2.0)