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Introduction
The AS21 Redback is a tracked infantry fighting vehicle developed by Hanwha Defence for the Australian Army’s LAND 400 Phase 3 programme. Based on the K21 family of vehicles but heavily redesigned for Australian requirements, the Redback is a heavily protected IFV designed around a three-man crew and capacity for eight dismounts. The vehicle was ultimately selected by Australia in 2023 over the Rheinmetall KF41 Lynx, with the Australian configuration incorporating a 30 mm Bushmaster II cannon, Spike LR2 ATGMs, and the Iron Fist active protection system.
The Redback has also attracted considerable interest as a platform for other weapon systems and mission configurations. With its large hull, substantial payload capacity and modern electronic architecture, the vehicle provides a useful basis for integrating alternative turrets and specialist systems.
At DVD 2026, Lockheed Martin UK demonstrated one such combination, mounting its 40 mm turret derived from the British Army’s Warrior CSP programme onto the AS21 Redback chassis. The demonstration was presented in the context of counter-uncrewed aerial systems (C-UAS), showcasing how the British-developed turret and its associated systems could be integrated onto an alternative tracked platform. DVD 2026 is being held at UTAC Millbrook on 16–17 September 2026, with Lockheed Martin specifically highlighting the integration of vehicles and C-UAS technologies at the event. It also comes at a time of mounting pressure on the British Army to replace their tracked IFV capabilities (formerly Warrior), with another, more capable tracked IFV, instead of Boxer as previously planned. It is unlikely that this is a coincidence.
The Redback/Warrior CSP combination therefore represents an interesting meeting of two otherwise unrelated programmes: a Korean-designed Australian IFV fitted with a British-developed 40 mm weapon system. In-game, the vehicle would provide Britain with another modern tracked platform while also offering a potential C-UAS-oriented vehicle built around the already familiar CT40 system.
Specifications
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Armament
Primary: 40 mm CT40 Case Telescoped Autocannon
Ammunition: APFSDS, HE, airburst / programmable ammunition
Secondary: 7.62 mm machine gun
C-UAS: Integrated C-UAS capability / fire-control equipment as demonstrated at DVD 2026.
Chassis
AS21 Redback
Crew: 3
Passengers: 8
Weight: ~42 tonnes
Length: ~7.6 m
Width: ~3.64 m
Maximum speed: ~65 km/h
Engine: MTU 12V 199 TE21 diesel
Transmission: Allison X1100-5A3
The Redback’s standard configuration is designed around a three-man crew and eight infantrymen, with the vehicle weighing approximately 42 tonnes and having a maximum road speed of around 65 km/h.
Turret
The turret is derived from Lockheed Martin UK’s Warrior CSP turret programme. The CSP turret uses a fully stabilised CT40 cannon and a modern digital fire-control system, with Lockheed Martin also developing related uncrewed turret architectures. The turret as fitted to the Redback has been upgraded with the Safran PASEO commanders sight, to increase situational awareness for C-UAS capabilities.
Images
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LMUKs 40mm turret, as fitted to the Warrior CSP. Note the different commanders sight A closely related LMUK 40mm turret, as fitted to the Patria AMV. Twin Javelin launchers have been mounted
Sources
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Sources will be updated as more articles are written on the vehicle
Lockheed Martin UK and South Korea Unveil AS21 Redback 40 mm IFV With Counter-Drone Capability
