After more than a decade in development, South Korea has unveiled a prototype of its next-generation Korea amphibious assault vehicle (KAAV).
Developed by local defense firm Hanwha Aerospace, KAAV II combines improved mobility and stability, enabling South Korean troops to transition more seamlessly between sea and land operations.
It can reportedly travel through water at speeds of up to 20 kilometers (12.4 miles) per hour, while its land speed has not been disclosed.
The vehicle also features a larger crew compartment and enhanced protection intended to improve survivability against a range of battlefield threats.
First conceptualized in 2015, KAAV II is intended to replace South Korea’s aging KAAV-7A1 fleet, based on a design dating back to the 1970s.
The current vehicles, while once suited to their era, have increasingly been outpaced by modern armored systems, with more than 170 still in service.
Improved Offensive Capabilities
KAAV II is equipped with a 40mm automatic cannon, positioning it as a more versatile platform against drones, armored targets, and enemy strongholds.
It uses cased telescoped ammunition, where the projectile is fully enclosed within the cartridge for increased ammo density and storage efficiency.
It supports an effective range of up to 4 kilometers (2.5 miles) and is reported to offer improved armor penetration compared to conventional medium-caliber systems.
Firing up to 200 rounds per minute, the weapon provides flexibility across infantry, light armor, helicopter, and drone threats without requiring a change in weapon system.
Reports also indicate KAAV II is powered by an 850-horsepower engine on land, increasing to as much as 2,700 horsepower in maritime operations.
The vehicle is further equipped with upgraded command-and-control systems and a sensor suite designed to improve situational awareness during operations in contested environments.
