{{Short description|Armored personnel carrier}} {{Infobox weapon | image = 2011.7.5 수기사 저탄소녹색성장 (7633933564).jpg | image_size = 300 | caption = K200A1 KIFV of Republic of Korea Armed Forces | name = K200 KIFV | type = Armored personnel carrier | origin = South Korea | is_vehicle = yes | service = 1985–present | used_by = See ''Operators'' | wars = {{plainlist| * Yugoslav Wars * 1999 East Timorese crisis * Iraq War * Haitian conflict }} | designer = Agency for Defense Development<br/>Daewoo Heavy Industries | design_date = 1980–1984<ref>{{Cite web |last=김성호 |date=2025-05-07 |title=숭의동 백구번지에서 꿈 키운 김의환입니다 |url=https://www.kyeongin.com/article/1738763 |access-date=2025-06-26 |website=경인일보 |language=ko}}</ref> | manufacturer = {{plainlist| * Daewoo Heavy Industries (1984–2000) * Daewoo Heavy Industries & Machinery (2000–2005) * Doosan Infracore (2005–2009) * Doosan DST (2009–2016) * Hanwha Techwin (2016–2017) * Hanwha Land Systems (2017–2019) * Hanwha Defense (2019–2022) * Hanwha Aerospace (2022–present) }} | production_date = K200: 1984–1996<br/>K200A1: 1994–present | variants = | number = 2,500 (estimate) | unit_cost = $1.41 million (domestic)<br />$1.32 million (export) | crew = 3 + 9 passengers<ref name=Doosan /> | length = 5.49 m<ref name=Doosan /> | width = 2.85 m<ref name=Doosan /> | height = 2.52 m<ref name=Doosan /> | weight = 13.2 tons<ref name=Doosan /> | armour = Aluminium alloy | primary_armament = 1 x M2 machine gun | secondary_armament = 1 x M60 or K12 machine gun | engine = K200: Daewoo/MAN D2848M 280 hp<hr/>A1: Daewoo/MAN D2848T 350 hp (261 kw) at 2,300 rpm<ref name=Doosan /> | transmission = K200: David Brown T300<br/>7 forward, 7 reverse<hr/>A1: Allison Transmission X200-5D (early) or X200-5K (late)<br/>4 forward, 1 reverse | engine_power = | suspension = torsion bar<ref name=Doosan /> | speed = 70 km/h<br />6 km/h on water<ref name=Doosan /> | pw_ratio = 26.5 hp/ton<ref name=Doosan /> | vehicle_range = 480 km<ref name=Doosan /> }}

The '''K200 KIFV''' ("Korean Infantry Fighting Vehicle") is a South Korean armored personnel carrier designed by the Agency for Defense Development through Project Toad (두꺼비 사업) to replace older armored personnel carriers, such as the M113. It was produced by Hanwha Aerospace (then, Daewoo Heavy Industries). Since 2009, the K200 has been supplemented by the K21.<ref name=FR>{{cite web|url=http://www.forecastinternational.com/samples/F651_CompleteSample.pdf|title=The Market for Light Tracked Vehicles (2010~2019)|publisher=ForecastInternational}}</ref> An estimated 2,500 K200/A1 series were built (1700 standard, 800 specialized),<ref>{{Cite web |last=김 |first=대영 |date=2025-03-07 |title=K장갑차 40년, 국산 차세대 장갑차는 언제? |url=https://weekly.hankooki.com/news/articleView.html?idxno=7106333 |website=주간한국 |publisher=주간한국}}</ref> among which 111 were exported to Malaysia.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://defense.doosaninfracore.co.kr/eng/Defense/History.aspx|title=Doosan DST History|publisher=Doosan DST|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070713053152/http://defense.doosaninfracore.co.kr/eng/Defense/History.aspx|archive-date=2007-07-13|url-status=dead}}</ref>

==History== thumb|right| K200A1 KIFV of Malaysian Army in digital camouflage The K200 project began in 1981 when the Republic of Korea Army issued a request for a new Korean Infantry Fighting Vehicle (KIFV) to meet future combat requirements. The Agency for Defense Development was in charge of its development, and Daewoo Heavy Industries was the prime contractor for the production of this vehicle. The K200 was designed to be an amphibious personnel carrier that could cross shallow rivers. The vehicle was developed to be more affordable than the AIFV, but not necessarily sacrificing capability, to gain an edge in cost-effectiveness. The eventual domestic development and production of the K200 achieved a price range of US$1.32-1.41 million<ref name=FR /> as opposed to the $1.52-2.83 million price range that a license-production or direct importation of the AIFV would have entailed.<ref name=FR2>{{cite web|url=https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&q=cache:BT8uBaCGtfwJ:www.forecastinternational.com/samples/F651_CompleteSample.pdf+Market+for+Light+Tracked+Vehicles&hl=en&pid=bl&srcid=ADGEESh6qEtW32qtwz70Ezmz93m2U439RLRnARqoo677h9e88aNWjeQrf8-Y3TEdsJc8nV2AKIvnoI0nB5hOhf34CjcN9dkSgmaKIxcFG6g42V3Cgu7PdymAzuAOarDdxV208Wln1He_&sig=AHIEtbQCu52pDPgoyujGZoGVHlC-e-GIQg|title=The Market for Light Tracked Vehicles (2009~2018)|publisher=ForecastInternational}}</ref>

Doosan incorporated the MAN D2848T engine into the K200 under a license-production deal and assimilated its technology using domestic components,<ref name="janes">{{cite web|date=2011-10-18|title=Doosan Korean Infantry Fighting Vehicle (KIFV)|url=http://www.janes.com/articles/Janes-Armour-and-Artillery/Doosan-Korean-Infantry-Fighting-Vehicle-KIFV-Korea-South.html|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120908115304/http://articles.janes.com/articles/Janes-Armour-and-Artillery/Doosan-Korean-Infantry-Fighting-Vehicle-KIFV-Korea-South.html|archive-date=2012-09-08|website=Jane's}}</ref> a reverse-engineering experience that would prove instrumental in the development of its next IFV, the K21. S&T Dynamics was the licensee subcontractor for the Allison Transmission X200-5K gearbox.<ref>{{cite web|title=S&T Dynamics Defence Industry Mobile Equipment X200-5K|url=http://www.hisntd.com/|url-status=dead|publisher=S&T Dynamics|access-date=24 December 2010|archive-date=11 May 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110511155635/http://www.hisntd.com/}}</ref>{{Update inline|date=August 2021|reason=The information on the cited website for the preceding reference no longer clearly indicates what was cited, or it never did.}} The vehicle entered production in 1985.<ref name=GS>{{cite web|url=http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/rok/kifv.htm|title=Korean Infantry Fighting Vehicle|publisher=GlobalSecurity}}</ref> Serial production was completed in 2006.<ref name=FR />

In October 2017, Hanwha unveiled an internally-funded upgrade project that would turn the K200 into a modular, multi-purpose vehicle. The redesign involved stretching the chassis and adding a road wheel for six pairs and removing the back section to create a flat cargo bed to fit various modules that can be swapped out for different missions; initial configurations included ambulance, fuel tanker, minelayer, and communications modules. With ROK Army approval, the company developed the project in two years.<ref>[https://armyrecognition.com/adex_2017_online_show_daily_news/adex_2017_hanwha_unveils_k200_multi_pupose_vehicle_upgrade_plan.html Hanwha Unveils K200 Multi Purpose Vehicle Upgrade Plan] - Armyrecognition.com, 22 October 2017</ref>{{Update inline|date=August 2021}}

==General characteristics== The K200 series of vehicles transport mechanized infantry platoon is designed to keep personnel safe from small arms fire.<ref name=Doosan>{{cite web|url=http://www.doosan.com/doosandst/en/cp_pdf/KIFV.pdf|title=Doosan Defense Product: Korean Infantry Fighting Vehicle|publisher=Doosan DST|access-date=16 August 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110928063153/http://www.doosan.com/doosandst/en/cp_pdf/KIFV.pdf|archive-date=28 September 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref> The hull of the KIFV is of all-welded aluminium armor with an additional layer of spaced laminate steel armor bolted to it. The composite armor provides a higher level of protection for less weight.<ref name=janes /> It provides protection against 12.7 mm rounds on the sides, 7.62 mm ammunition in the rear, larger shell splinter from the ground, and anti-personnel mines.<ref name="Doosan"/> The engine compartment is located at the front right of the vehicle and is separated from the remainder of the vehicle by a bulkhead. The engine compartment is fitted with a fire extinguishing system that can be operated by the driver or from outside the vehicle. The air inlet, air outlet louvers and the exhaust pipe are located on the roof of the vehicle<ref name=janes /> to allow amphibious operations.

The K200 has six electrically operated smoke grenade launchers mounted across the front of the hull as countermeasures against electro-optical and infrared targeting. If the KIFV variant features a turret, the smoke grenade launchers mount on the turret (three on each side).<ref name=FR />

K200 can provide infantry firepower support with 12.7&nbsp;mm and 7.62&nbsp;mm machine guns.<ref name=Doosan /> Stronger anti-infantry and anti-material firepower can be brought to bear by equipping a 20&nbsp;mm Vulcan gun, or 81&nbsp;mm and 107&nbsp;mm mortars. Anti-tank capability can be added by equipping the Metis-M anti-tank missile system.<ref>{{cite web|title=K200 crossing river with Metis-M|url=http://www.emilitarynews.com/priv/editor_data/20090115/1231999359.jpg|url-status=dead|publisher=emilitarynews|access-date=21 August 2010|archive-date=24 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924000116/http://www.emilitarynews.com/priv/editor_data/20090115/1231999359.jpg}}</ref> The K200 is highly modular, and its variants provide additional types of combat support such as air defense and vehicle recovery using specialized equipment.<ref name="Doosan"/> The APC can accommodate 12 people including one infantry squad, the driver, and gunners.<ref name=Doosan />

In November 2015, Doosan and CMI Defence revealed they had cooperated to create the Cockerill Protected Weapon Station (CPWS) to increase the firepower of the K200. The turret can support cannons between 20 and 30&nbsp;mm, plus a 7.62&nbsp;mm coaxial machine gun, including the: CPWS20 20&nbsp;mm; CPWS 25&nbsp;mm which can be armed with the M242 Bushmaster, Nexter M811, or Oerlikon KBA; and CPWS30 armed with the M230LF.<ref>[http://armyrecognition.com/november_2015_global_defense_security_news_uk/cmi_defence_and_doosan_to_develop_new_kifv_tracked_armoured_with_cpws_weapon_station_11111152.html CMI Defence and Doosan to develop new KIFV tracked armoured with CPWS weapon station] - Armyrecognition.com, 11 November 2015</ref>

=== K200A2 === On 7 January 2025, DAPA announced the completion of standardization of K200A2, K242A2, K277A2, K281A2, and K288A2. The agency installed front and rear cameras and integrated mechanical devices distributed in the vehicle to enhance convenience. It also updated various defense specifications for each armored vehicle. The ministry plans to conduct upgrades during overhaul for 1,100 vehicles by 2031.<ref>{{Cite web |last=김 |first=지환 |date=2025-01-08 |title=軍, 기존 무기 성능 극대화해 수출 지원한다 |url=https://biz.chosun.com/industry/company/2025/01/09/UT2JRQCOHVDX5C5NW4MXFY7J6M/ |access-date=2025-06-26 |website=조선비즈 |language=ko}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=윤 |first=용 |date=2025-01-08 |title=40년 전설, K200 계열 장갑차의 새로운 진화 |url=https://www.goodmorningcc.com/news/articleView.html?idxno=412443 |website=굿모닝충청}}</ref>

==Variants== thumb|K263 SPAAG variant in Republic of Korea Armed Forces service * K200: First production variant. ** K216: NBC reconnaissance vehicle. Equipped with detection system to trace sources of NBC agents.<ref name=Doosan /> ** K221: Smoke generating vehicle. Produces two types of smoke to protect from visible light for 90 minutes and infrared for 30 minutes.<ref name=Doosan /> ** K242: Carries 4.2 inch mortar for fire support.<ref name=Doosan /> ** K255: Proposed ammunition resupply vehicle for 155&nbsp;mm self-propelled howitzer.<ref name=Doosan /> ** K263 SPAAG: KM167A1 20&nbsp;mm self-propelled anti-aircraft gun variant of K200.<ref name=Doosan /> ** K277: Command post vehicle. The vehicle contains various supplements for commanders.<ref name=Doosan /> ** K281: Carries 81&nbsp;mm mortar for fire support.<ref name=Doosan /> ** K288: Recovery vehicle. Rescues and repairs damaged military vehicles.<ref name=Doosan /> * K200A1: Upgraded variant of the base K200 with more powerful engines and transmission. The upgrade also added NBC protection and automatic fire extinguishing system.<ref name=Doosan /> ** K242A1: Carries 4.2 inch mortar for fire support.<ref name=Doosan /> To be replaced by 120&nbsp;mm mortar.<ref>{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=8 February 2022|title=RoK Army receives initial batch of locally developed mortar system|url=https://www.janes.com/defence-news/news-detail/rok-army-receives-initial-batch-of-locally-developed-mortar-system|access-date=|website=Janes Information Services|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220306190731/https://www.janes.com/defence-news/news-detail/rok-army-receives-initial-batch-of-locally-developed-mortar-system|archive-date=6 March 2022|url-status=live}}</ref> ** K263A1 SPAAG: KM167A1 20&nbsp;mm M61 Vulcan self-propelled anti-aircraft gun variant of K200A1.<ref name=Doosan /> ** K277A1: Command post vehicle variant of the K200A1. ** K281A1: Carries 81&nbsp;mm mortar for fire support.<ref name=Doosan /> ** K288A1: Recovery vehicle. Rescues and repairs damaged military vehicles.<ref name=Doosan />

==Operators== thumb|upright=1.35|Map with K200 operators in blue * {{flag|Haiti}} - Received 3 K200A1s on February 5th 2026 for use by Haitian National Police against the gangs.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Info |first1=Vant Bef |title=PNH: les nouveaux blindés sud-coréens, résultat d'un projet du haut commandement de Frantz Elbé |url=https://vantbefinfo.com/pnh-les-nouveaux-blindes-sud-coreens-resultat-dun-projet-du-haut-commandement-de-frantz-elbe/ |access-date=6 February 2026 |work=Vant Bèf Info (VBI) |date=6 February 2026}}</ref> * {{flag|Malaysia}} - Received 111 K200s between 1993 and 1995.<ref name="globalsecurity K-200">{{cite web|url=https://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/rok/kifv.htm|title=Korean Infantry Fighting Vehicle K-200|publisher=Global Security|date=7 September 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230730134905/https://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/rok/kifv.htm|archive-date=30 July 2023|access-date=30 July 2023|author=}}</ref><ref name="securityfact 781">{{cite web|url=http://www.securityfact.co.kr/news/view.php?no=781|title=[한국무기 디테일] ⑭ 각본 없는 드라마, K200 장갑차 말레이시아 수출에 얽힌 일화|publisher=Security Fact|date=10 July 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230730134526/http://www.securityfact.co.kr/news/view.php?no=781|archive-date=30 July 2023|access-date=30 July 2023|author=Kim Han-kyung}}</ref> All vehicles were upgraded to K200A1s between 2000 and 2008. ** 1993 order: 32 K200s, 2 K277s, 4 K281s, 2 K288s 2 K200 ambulances. 1994 order: 18 K200s, 2 K277s, 1 K288, 1 K200 ambulance. 1995 order: 47 K200s and variants.<ref name="MIFV">{{Cite web |title=K200A1 Malaysian Infantry Fighting Vehicle (MIFV) Reliable Fighting Machine |url=https://malaysiamilitarypower.blogspot.com/2015/11/ka200a1-malaysian-infantry-fighting.html |access-date=2025-04-07 |language=en}}</ref> ** In 2000, Daewoo proposed A1 upgrade, and a sample was built at the Number 91 Workshop of the Malaysian Army.<ref name="MIFV"/> Malaysia upgraded 56 vehicles between 2001 and 2002,<ref>{{Cite web |title=대우종합기계, 말聯 장갑차 성능 개선 사업 참여 |url=https://n.news.naver.com/mnews/article/015/0000417278?sid=101 |access-date=2025-03-25 |website=n.news.naver.com |language=ko}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=말聯 장갑차 성능개량 사업 대우綜機 1000만달러 수주 |url=https://n.news.naver.com/mnews/article/020/0000233594?sid=101 |access-date=2025-03-25 |website=n.news.naver.com |language=ko}}</ref> 32 vehicles between 2004 and 2005,<ref>{{Cite web |last=기자 |first=김희석 |title=대우종기, 말련서 1천만불 장갑차사업 수주 |url=https://n.news.naver.com/mnews/article/018/0000150148?sid=101 |access-date=2025-03-25 |website=n.news.naver.com |language=ko}}</ref> and 22 vehicles between 2006 and 2008.<ref>{{Cite web |last=이데일리 |date=2006-05-02 |title=두산인프라, 해외 장갑차 개량사업 수주 |url=https://www.edaily.co.kr/News/Read?newsId=01918806579844984 |access-date=2025-03-25 |website=이데일리 |language=ko}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=머니투데이 |date=2006-05-02 |title=두산인프라코어, K200 장갑차 성능개량사업 수주 |url=https://news.mt.co.kr/mtview.php?no=2006050214273445653 |access-date=2025-03-25 |website=머니투데이 |language=ko}}</ref> ** Malaysia planned for second upgrades in 2024. The upgraded vehicle includes added protection, RCWS, optical sensors, enhanced communication, and others.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-08-09 |title=30년 전 수출 장갑차에…한화에어로, 최신무기로 '중무장' |url=https://www.sedaily.com/NewsView/2DCY8L8MZN |access-date=2025-03-25 |website=서울경제 |language=ko}}</ref> * {{flag|South Korea}}<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.military-today.com/apc/kifv.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070521092623if_/http://www.military-today.com/apc/kifv.htm|url-status=usurped|archive-date=21 May 2007|title=KIFV - Infantry fighting vehicle|last=ARG}}</ref>

=== Future operators === * {{flag|Thailand}} - On 27 August 2024, Hanwha Aerospace and Thai Defence Industry (TDI) under the Defence Technology Institute (DTI) signed a MOU for K200A2 upgrades. Under the MOU, Hanwha will be partnering with Chaiseri Metal and Rubber for upgrading after Thailand acquire used K200s.<ref>{{Cite web |last=박 |first=진우 |date=2024-09-05 |title=방산 유지·보수 나서는 한화에어로… 태국과 장갑차 개조 MOU |url=https://biz.chosun.com/industry/company/2024/09/06/WO7Z23DZ6RGAHJOTBNTP27TDYA/ |access-date=2025-06-17 |website=조선비즈 |language=ko}}</ref>

==See also== * AIFV * Egyptian Infantry Fighting Vehicle * FNSS ACV-15 - Turkish built version of the AIFV

==References== {{Reflist}}

==External links== {{Commons category|K200 KIFV}} * [https://www.hanwha-defense.co.kr/eng/products/maneuver-k200a1.do K200A1 - Armored Vehicles - Hanwha Defense] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191227140827/https://www.hanwha-defense.co.kr/eng/products/maneuver-k200a1.do |date=27 December 2019 }} * [http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/rok/kifv.htm GlobalSecurity.org] * [http://armour.ws/south-korean-k200-infantry-fighting-vehicle/ K200 Series on Armour.ws] * [http://www.fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/land/row/kifv.htm Federation of American Scientists] {{Use dmy dates|date=June 2017}}

Category:Tracked infantry fighting vehicles Category:Armoured personnel carriers of South Korea Category:Military vehicles introduced in the 1980s Category:Armoured personnel carriers of the Cold War Category:ADD research and development projects