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Seoul ADEX 2025: Hanwha unveils K-NIFV armoured vehicle
Seoul ADEX 2025: Hanwha unveils K-NIFV armoured vehicle
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✍️By ZRIntel Editorial Team📍Seoul, South Korea
Hanwha Aerospace showcased its latest achievement, the Korea New Infantry Fighting Vehicle (K-NIFV), at the ADEX 2025 event currently underway in Seoul, South Korea, from October 17-25. This new armoured vehicle features a design that not only enhances its producibility through increased domestic content but also addresses contemporary battlefield challenges highlighted in recent conflicts like the Russo-Ukraine war. The K-NIFV represents a significant step forward, incorporating lessons learned from those experiences, particularly in operating environments that are heavily contested and technology-driven with the prevalence of drones and electronic warfare. Operationally speaking, the K-NIFV builds on the foundations set by the Redback infantry fighting vehicle, which is soon to be adopted by the Australian Army. However, the K-NIFV differentiates itself by introducing innovative configuration trends, such as employing an unmanned turret instead of the traditional manned variant. This evolution allows for a greater troop capacity, accommodating up to eight soldiers, thereby enhancing both protection and firepower. The vehicle can be fitted with either a 30mm autocannon or the more powerful 40mm weapon utilizing case-telescoped ammunitionoptions that enhance its fire support capabilities. A notable feature includes either domestically produced armaments from SNT Dynamics or the CTA International's 40CTC cannon, ensuring that the K-NIFV meets rigorous performance standards while supporting local industries. In terms of close combat capabilities, the K-NIFV is equipped with a coaxial 7.62mm machine gun, a dual-launch antitank guided missile launcher, and a remote weapon station that showcases advanced targeting technologies. Among the displayed weapon systems, the TAipers-L missile boasts an impressive operational range of up to 8 kilometers, highlighting its role on the modern battlefield. Protection and survivability remain paramount in the K-NIFV's design. The vehicle incorporates passive armour and mine protection, alongside an advanced active protection system (APS) that integrates multiple detection and tracking technologies. This system utilizes trainable dual launchers linked to an array of four electronically scanned radar and electro-optic sensors positioned around the turret to enhance its defense capabilities. A significant innovation within the K-NIFV's design is its counter-drone features, enabled by artificial intelligence for radar detection and target engagement. This function allows the vehicle to effectively engage aerial threats at long ranges, empowering the main armament as well as a specialized remote weapon station capable of targeting threats at 1,000 meters. The APS also provides a last line of defense against drones, capable of neutralizing threats as close as 300 meters. Moreover, Hanwha has introduced a direct infrared countermeasure system for aircraft, potentially enhancing the K-NIFVs operational versatility. During discussions with Asian Military Review, Hanwha representatives emphasized their commitment to prioritizing domestic suppliers for many essential subsystems in the K-NIFV's construction. This strategy not only promotes local manufacturing but also helps mitigate risks associated with international supply chains, especially concerning export regulations that could emerge from reliance on foreign components. By maintaining such flexibility, Hanwha positions itself strategically in both domestic and international markets, responding to growing demands from countries interested in adopting advanced military vehicles. Overall, the K-NIFV prototypes are in the process of certification and are expected to eventually replace the older K200A1 vehicles still in service with the Republic of Korea Army (ROKA), which have been operational since the 1980s. Internationally, there is substantial interest from various nations, including Italy, Norway, Romania, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE, signaling a potentially lucrative era for South Korean defence exports. Looking ahead, Hanwha has additional plans for the K-NIFVs future, introducing a Block 2 version that will feature a hybrid powertrain, advanced active suspension systems, and comprehensive situational awareness capabilities. The ambitious timeline for this upgrade suggests these enhancements could be realized by around 2030, further cementing Hanwha's position in the defense sector.