Although not yet widely equipped by the Korean Army, the K808 8x8 armored vehicle has received the attention of the armies of Asian countries
It is intended to be used by rapid deployment units and operate in forward areas
A smaller 6x6 version is also being deployed, intended to be used for rear defense, and convoy protection
The K808 8×8 armored vehicles, Previously known as the KW2, developed by Hyundai Rotem as a private venture in 2012
In 2016 these armored vehicles successfully passed final qualification tests and were approved for procurement
The first batch was delivered to the South Korean Army in 2017
Full scale production began in 2018
These new wheeled armored vehicles replace the ageing K200 series of tracked armored personnel carriers in the South Korean army service
The South Korean army plans to deploy 600 new wheeled armored vehicles, including 500 with 8x8 configuration and 100 with 6x6 configurations
K808 of Korea has a weight of 20 tons. It has a length of 6.6 m, a width of 2.7 m, and a height of 2.1 m
Standard crew is 2 people, plus 9 to 10 people in the passenger compartment
The engine is located in the front on the left side, while the driver sits beside the engine to the right
Troops enter and exit the vehicle via a rear automatic ramp in addition to 4 roof hatches
The K808 has an all-welded armored hull that provides protection against small-arms fire and artillery shell splinters
It can be fitted with add-on armor for a higher level of protection
It is also equipped with the NBC and automatic fire suppression systems
It is likely that front arc withstands hits from 12.7 mm armor-piercing rounds
Vehicle has a V-shaped hull for protection against mine blasts
The vehicle is provided with a remotely controlled weapon station armed with a 40 mm automatic grenade launcher or 12.7 mm machine gun
It can also support a two-man turret, armed with a 30 mm cannon and coaxial 7.62 mm machine gun
In June 2020, Hanwha Defense was given a contract to deliver the 30 mm Anti-Aircraft Gun-Wheeled Vehicle System to the ROK military
a K808 chassis fitted with the twin 30 mm cannon turret of the K30 Biho
It has greater range than the Vulcan Air Defense System it will replace
The K808 armored personnel carrier is powered by a Hyundai turbocharged diesel engine, developing 420 hp
The engine is located at the front. It is mated to automatic transmission with 7 forward and 1 reverse speeds
Vehicle has an automatic driveline management system. Two front axles are steerable
The K808 is fitted with a central tyre inflation system and run-flat tyres
It has a maximum road speed of up to 100 km/h, much faster than the previous tracked K200 armored personnel carrier
K808 is fully amphibious. On water it is propelled by two waterjets
This armored vehicle can cross rivers and other inland water obstacles
Maximum amphibious speed on water is 8 km/h