The Malaysian firm Cendana Auto, in partnership with Hanwha Aerospace has unveiled a locally modernised variant of the K200 tracked Infantry Fighting Vehicle (IFV), designated MIFV-CH25, at the Defence Services Asia (DSA) exhibition.
The upgrade represents a proof-of-concept modernisation for the Malaysian Army’s K200 fleet, which is locally known to as the Malaysian Infantry Fighting Vehicle (MIFV). Hanwha Aerospace inked a contract with Cendana Auto in August 2024 for the upgrade of a single K200 IFV in Malaysia for testing and evaluation as part of an industry-led demonstration. Work began in 2025 and was completed in under a year. Images of the upgraded platform undergoing trials emerged in August 2025. The vehicle is now being publicly displayed for the first time at DSA.
Hanwha Aerospace has undertaken a deep modernisation effort on the MIFV, which could allow the MIFV to remain in service, potentially into the 2050s. A company official detailed the various improvements undertaken on the MIFV, which has also included a restoration of the armoured vehicle’s amphibious capability. The original powerpack is replaced with a 350 HP MAN-Doosan D2848T V-8 powerplant mated to an Allison X200-5K automatic transmission.
A roof-mounted remote controlled weapon system (RCWS) with a 12.7 mm machine gun replaces the legacy cupola-mounted weapon. A Pillar V acoustic gunshot detection system has also been integrated, in addition to six smoke grenade launchers.
The rear ramp actuator, which was earlier hydraulically operated, is now electro-hydraulically operated. This allows the rear-ramp to be operated even when the engine is off. The MIFV is equipped with a front thermal camera and rear IR-LED camera which enhances close-range visibility for safer driving and parking in all lighting conditions. The vehicle exterior lighting is now fully LED with protective guards.
The vehicle interiors have been fully overhauled with a new cabin cooling system and the crew seats which can accommodate 12 personnel, being redesigned for lighter weight and greater rigidity. The system electronics have been improved with integrated instrument and display panels. The upgraded platform has four batteries compared to two previously, with two batteries exclusively dedicated to the RCWS.
Malaysia remains the only export customer for the K200 IFV, having acquired 111 examples between 1993-1995.
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