“Hyundai Rotem Nears Completion of K808 Wheeled Armored Personnel Carrier Contract with Peru”
Hyundai Rotem, a South Korean defense company, is on the verge of finalizing a deal to export K808 wheeled armored personnel carriers to Peru. As the subsidiary of Hyundai Motor Co. and the appointed supplier of wheeled armored vehicles to Peru since November, Hyundai Rotem is currently working on the necessary technical documentation to deliver customized vehicles that align with Peru’s specific requirements. This agreement would mark South Korea’s first export of such weaponry to Latin America. The Korea Economic Daily Global reported that the exact export volume and unit prices have not been determined yet, but considering Hyundai Rotem’s previous defense contracts with the Korean government and army, the Peru deal could potentially involve up to 99 units worth 250 billion won ($190 million).
The K808/806 White Tiger (Baekho) series consists of 8×8 and 6×6 armored vehicles. Hyundai Rotem developed these vehicles as a private venture in 2012, with the Korean Army expressing interest in acquiring 600 of these wheeled APCs to enhance their rapid response forces based on the U.S. Stryker combat brigades model, as stated by the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA). Hyundai Rotem competed against Doosan Black Fox and Samsung Techwin MPV for the project, ultimately emerging as the winner. In September 2018, the Defense Acquisition Program Administration announced that Hyundai Rotem would commence mass production of the K806 and K808 vehicles later that year. Hyundai Rotem now plans to export its K808 wheeled armored vehicles.
The engine of the K808/806 is positioned in the front on the left side, while the driver’s seat is located on the right side beside the engine. The troop compartment, capable of accommodating 10 fully equipped soldiers and 2 crew members, is situated at the rear of the vehicle. Troops can enter and exit through a rear automatic ramp and four roof hatches. Initially, the K808/806 Scorpion was equipped with a 380 hp Hyundai diesel engine, which was later replaced by a 420 hp Hyundai engine with a 7-speed transmission and 2-mode secondary transmission. This configuration applies to the 8×8 variant. The vehicle features an automatic drive-line management system, central tire inflation system, and run-flat tires. The Scorpion 8×8 is fully amphibious with the aid of two water jets, whereas the Scorpion 6×6 lacks this capability.
The K808/806 boasts an all-welded armored hull providing protection against small-arms fire and artillery shell fragments. Additional add-on armor can be installed to enhance its defensive capabilities. The vehicle is equipped with an NBC protection system and can be armed with a remotely controlled weapon station armed with a 40 mm automatic grenade launcher or a 12.7 mm machine gun. It also has the potential to support a two-man turret armed with a 30 mm cannon and a coaxial 7.62 mm machine gun. Alternatively, it can feature a manned weapon station with a 40 mm grenade launcher and a 7.62 mm machine gun. To reduce acquisition costs, the K806/K808 will be equipped with a one-person protected weapon station armed with an M2HB machine gun instead of a remote weapon system (RWS), although Hyundai Rotem could provide RWS if requested.