The Republic of Korea showed a tank based on the K21 BMP, which will be offered to India
Hanhwa Defense Company showed a light K21-105 car. A tank based on the K21 infantry fighting Vehicle (BMP) will be offered to India. The development from South Korea will become a competitor to the Russian tank "Octopus-SDM1". This is reported by Janes.
A light tank will be offered to India as part of a tender for the supply of 350 vehicles of this type. South Korea is also ready to offer India localization of K21-105 production. The publication emphasizes that India and the Republic of Korea jointly produced the K9 Vajra-T self-propelled artillery (ACS).
The promising tank is based on the K21 BMP chassis. The combat vehicle weighing 29 tons received a 105 mm caliber gun. The new tower will accommodate two people. The manufacturer notes that vehicles for the Indian military can receive protection from weapons of mass destruction, a sensor signaling the guidance of anti-tank missiles, and an automatic fire extinguishing system.
In April 2021, India announced a tender for the purchase of 350 tanks for operations in mountainous areas. The machines are designed for service in the Ladakh region.
In December, the head of Rosoboronexport, Alexander Mikheev, announced that Russia would take part in an Indian tender for the supply of light vehicles. Russia can offer "Octopus-SDM1", technology transfer and localization of production of individual nodes.
