TSAMTO, October 12. General Dynamics European Land Systems (GDELS) has officially announced that, together with Hanwha Defense Corporation (HDC), it has been selected as a contractor for the production of 110 self-propelled pontoon fleets based on the M3 amphibious vehicle for the Republic of Korea.
The decision on the choice of suppliers was made by the Defense Procurement Programs Agency of the Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Korea (DAPA).
In accordance with the KABV (Korean Amphibious Bridging Vehicle) program, the pontoon fleet based on the M3 amphibious vehicle will be modified in accordance with the requirements of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Korea and will receive the designation M3K.
As reported by TSAMTO, in August 2021, the South Korean Hanwha Defense signed a contract with the DAPA Agency for the implementation of a project to develop and supply to the country an adapted version of a self-propelled pontoon fleet based on the M3 amphibious vehicle.
The M3K variant, proposed by Hanwha Defense in conjunction with GDELS, was selected as the winner of the competition in December 2020 after a series of tests and evaluations conducted in the second half of 2020. The M3K competed with the AAAB (Otter Armoured Amphibious Assault Bridge) system proposed by Hyundai Rotem in cooperation with the Turkish FNSS Savunma Sistemleri.
The cost of the agreement was 500 billion. won ($426 million). The contract provides for the development and production of systems within the framework of a technology transfer agreement from the original equipment manufacturer, GDELS. Deliveries should begin in 2024 and be completed within three years.
The M3K version, specially designed to meet the requirements of the Republic of Korea, will improve the ability to overcome water barriers compared to existing systems. Since the 1990s. SV use belt bridge systems issued under an American license. M3K will increase the mobility of engineering units and reduce the time required to organize ferry crossings or assemble floating bridges.
In its statement, Hanwha Defense said that the mass of the M3K variant will be 28 tons, the length is 13 m. The estimated speed on land will be up to 70 km/h, afloat – up to 10 km/ h. The machine can be used on soft soils without the need for an evacuation vehicle.
Previously, M3 were delivered to the armed forces of Germany, Great Britain, Taiwan, Singapore and Indonesia. The CB of the Republic of Korea will operate the largest M3 fleet. They became the fourth customer in Asia to choose M3.
