ADEX 2025 – K-NIFV, the Korean New Infantry Fighting vehicle proposal by Hanwa Aerospace
At the Seul exhibition Hanwa Aerospace unveiled the K-NIFV, for Korean New Infantry Fighting Vehicle, a heavily nationalised version of the Redback IFV that succeeded in the Australian Army Land 400 Phase 3 bid. A model of the new IFV was exhibited at the same exhibition two years ago, but many more details are now available
In an ADEX edition where heavy armoured vehicles were not the stars of the event, the K-NIFV prototype was definitely the main new item of the category. The tracked vehicle, which aims at replacing the K200/A1 currently in use by the Republic of Korean Army (ROKA), is a derivative of the Redback, which first vehicles will be delivered to the Australian Army in early 2027.
While the chassis remains mostly the same, capable to host a three-man crew and eight dismounts, most of the weapon systems and sensors have been replaced, typically with South Korean equipment, which replaces those provided by Israeli companies.
The main difference in the chassis is protection, the Redback being equipped with a suite provided by Plasan while the K-NIFV adopts a complex mine protection kit developed by Hanwha Aerospace together with other south Korean partners such as Welcron. According to information gathered at ADEX dimensions remain very close to those of the Australian tracked vehicle, the K-NIFV combat mass being also round 43 tonnes. EDR On-Line understood that the vehicle adopts a new powerplant based on an engine provided by STX, EDR On-Line understanding this should be the 1,000 hp SMV 1000, which will replace the MTU engine of the Redback providing the same power, giving the vehicle a n over 23 hp/t power to mass ratio; the SMV 1000 has also been selected to power K9 self-propelled howitzers destined to countries where German engines cannot be exported. A possible hybrid powerpack alternative is being considered for the future K-NIFV Block 2 version. The tracked vehicle in the Korean version maintains the rubber tracks solution, provided by Soucy of Canada.
The Elbit two-man turret is replaced by a new one, designed and produced by Hanwha Aerospace. The ROKA expressed a preference for an unmanned turret, which allows reducing mass and height while ensuring more space in the rear compartment. The main weapon is the SNT Dynamics 40 mm cannon firing cased telescoped ammunition designed and produced by Poonsang. Neither the cannon nor ammunition were exhibited at ADEX 2025 in the stands of those two companies, hence it was not possible getting updated information on the development steps carried out in the last two years. Two years ago, no programmable airburst munition was showcased, however considering the increasing importance of counter-UAS capabilities this might well be developed to become part of the K-NIFV layered protection against such threats.
The gunner sight is at the front on the left while the commander’s panoramic sight is on the right. On both sides of the turret we find twin missile launchers, the one on the right being visible at ADEX as it was raised in firing position; hinged at the back, with two missiles staked vertically, the Rafael Spike LR is replaced by the Hanwha Aerospace TApiers-L long-range antitank missile, with a maximum range of around 8 km. At the centre of the turret, we find the remotely controlled weapon station, armed with a 12.7 mm heavy machine gun.
With an emphasis on C-UAS, the radar suite part of the active protection system discussed hereafter should allow both the 40 and the 12.7 mm weapons to deal with incoming threats by providing the firing data to the fire control system. It is unclear if such capability will be available already on Block 1 vehicles or if it is considered as an upgrade for the follow-on Block 2 version.
At the rear of the turret, right and left, we find two trainable launchers, each one with two launch tubes staked vertically; in fact, these are not barrels, but rather the effectors of the active protection system under development by Hanwha Aerospace and Hanwha Systems. The architecture is similar to that of the Elbit Systems Iron Fist that it is replacing, with two launchers, four AESA radar antennas at the four corners of the turret providing 360° coverage, four electro-optic sensors located near the antennas, a launcher control device and an integration computer.
The key element is the effector, which comes in the form of a steel cylinder with an explosive charge at the front. According to Hanwha experts, the fact that the munition is closed at the back (that of the Iron Fist is open) considerably reduces the risk of damaging the vehicle or its subsystems installed on the turret when shooting. The Hanwha APS was visible on the K-NIFV prototype, its elements being also showcased one by one, together with another defensive effector, not installed on the tracked vehicle, the DIRCM (Direct InfraRed Counter Measure).
A derivative of the DIRCM used to protect aircraft from missiles, it has been adapted to the use on land vehicles, the company aiming also at reducing its dimensions; it will allow to deflect incoming missiles which guidance system is IR-based. Hanwha considers the DIRCM as an option, which would allow to spare APS shots, as only four of them are available ready to fire.
EDR On-Line understood that the APS is at TRL 6, Hanwha Systems being responsible for the radar, the software and system integration, the interceptor munition being developed by the Hanwha Aerospace Precision Guided Munition Department and the launcher by Hanwha Aerospace Land Systems Department. The system needs around one and a half year to be fully qualified, Hanwha planning to announce its name at KADEX 2026, and according to company sources it will have a competitive price, around 25% less of similar competitors.
The ROKA still fields over 1,500 K200/A1, the first vehicles having been delivered in the late 1980s. The K-NIFV should therefore target the replacement of all or part of those vehicles, however an upgrade programme for the K200/A1 was launched recently, which involves Hanwha itself.
The K-NIFV development programme was launched in October 2024, the contract being worth 34.5 billion won (over 200 million Euro), not much in absolute terms, but we must consider that the K-NIFV will be a close derivative of the Redback, and that many elements, for example the antitank missiles, come from other programmes. Development is carried out by Hanwha together with the Korea Research Institute of Defence Technology Planning and Advancement; the 42-month programme is expected to be completed by March 2028. Hanwha counts that the Korean Defence Acquisition Programme Administration will add the K-NIFV to the fast-track programmes list, to launch production to get it into service in 2030.
Photos courtesy Hanwha and P. Valpolini
