South Korea will undertake a 'Wheeled Armored Vehicle Performance Improvement' programme for the Republic of Korea Army and Marine Corps. An announcement made by South Korea’s Defence Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) stated the first meeting was held at Hyundai Rotem.

Under the 'Wheeled Armored Vehicle Performance Improvement' programme, Korean Military K808 WHITE TIGER 8x8 wheeled armored vehicles, which are manufactured by Hyundai Rotem will be upgraded with an approximate investment of US$ 40 million (47.6 billion won). The modernisation effort is slated for completion in 2029 and will enhance the performance and survivability of the armoured vehicles and their mounted soldiers.

“This wheeled armored vehicle performance improvement project, which takes into account technological advancements such as the mounting and operation of remotely controlled weapon systems (RCWS) on domestic and foreign combat vehicles, is expected to enhance the survivability and striking capabilities of infantry units,” said Army Brigadier General Koh Hyung-seok, DAPA Mobile Business Division Director. The number of K808s to be upgraded has not been made public. 

As part of the upgrade, K808 armoured vehicles will be fitted with a Remote-Controlled Weapon System (RCWS) and a Tactical Multi-band Multi-role Radio (TMMR), which will support real-time information sharing and command and control. In addition to this, 360-degree surveillance cameras and screen displays for mounted infantry will also be installed. The K808 is usually fitted with K-4 or K-6 machine guns.

As per information provided by DAPA, with the upgrades to the K808, information collected in real time during operations can be fed into the battalion-level Battle Command System (B2CS) and shared via the TMMR, affording real-time situational awareness to be transmitted to upper and lower units and adjacent wheeled armoured vehicles.

The combatants will be able to share their external environment and battlefield situation with their unit members through 360-degree surveillance cameras inside the vehicles and through the onboard infantry display. The B2CS is a Korean military information system that monitors battlefield situations in real time and performs command and control, as a combat command system below the battalion level.

In addition to the K808, Hyundai Rotem also produces the K806 - 6x6 wheeled armoured vehicle. The K808 and K806 share the same Hyundai Motor Corporation 420 hp engine and can both attain a speed of 100 mph, though the former weighs 20 tonnes and the latter 16 tonnes. Hyundai Rotem’s 8x8 Wheeled Armoured Family Vehicle includes the K877/K870 Command Post Vehicle, K-30W Anti-Aircraft Gun Vehicle (AAGV), UN Peace Keeping Operation Vehicle and Medical Evacuation Vehicle (MEV). Development of the K808/K806 was completed in 2016, with deliveries commencing in 2018.

It is understood that over 500 K808/K806s have been delivered to the ROKA and Marine Corps which have a total requirement of approximately 600 such armoured vehicles.  The new K877/K870 BAEKHO Command Post Vehicles entered service with the Korean military in January 2023.

In April 2024, Hyundai Rotem also bagged an order for export of 30 K808s to the Peruvian Army, with deliveries underway. This order marked the first sale of South Korean armoured vehicles in South America.

Follow us on Telegram, Facebook and X