New K808 8x8 armored personnel carrier of South Korean army deployed during field exercise
According to pictures published by Republic of Korea Armed Forces Facebook account, the new generation of 8x8 armored vehicles K808 in APC (Armored Personnel Carrier) variant has been deployed with the 7th Infantry Division of the South Korean army during field military exercise "Seven Stars".
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K808 8x8 armored personnel carrier of South Korean army during field exercise "Seven Stars". (Picture source Republic of Korea Armed Forces Facebook account)
The K808 is a family of 6×6 and 8×8 armored vehicles fully designed and developed in South Korea by Hyundai Rotem as a private venture in 2012, the Korean Army declared a plan to acquire 600 6×6 and 8×8 wheeled APCs. On 9 May 2016, the new armored vehicles, officially designated as the K808 and K806, passed their final qualification tests, allowing the first serial production. A total of 600 vehicles are to be produced by 2023.
The design of the K808 consists of three main parts with the driver located at the front left side of the hull with the engine on its right. The commander position is located at the rear of the driver position. The troop compartment is located at the rear and can accommodate up to 10 fully equipped soldiers. Troops enter and leave the vehicle via a rear automatic ramp. The roof of the hull is also fitted with four hatches. The APC version is fitted with an open-top turret armed with one 12.7mm heavy machine gun.
The hull of the K808 provides protection against the firing of small arms and artillery shell splinters. According to military sources, the front arc withstands hits from 12.7 mm armor-piercing rounds. In option, the vehicle can be fitted with Add-on armor ti increase the level of protection.
The K808 is powered by a Hyundai turbocharged diesel engine, developing 420 hp coupled to an automatic transmission with 7 forward and 1 reverse gears. It can run at a maximum road speed of 100 km/h with a maximum cruising range of 800 km. The vehicle is fully amphibious thanks to the use of two waterjets mounted at the vehicle. In the water, the vehicle can reach a maximum speed of 8 km/h.
Each soldier of the K808 has anti-mine blast seats, not connected with the floor of the vehicle. The vehicle is fitted with a central tire inflation system and run-flat tires as well as CBRN (Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear) protection system.
