Hanwha Aerospace and Cendana Auto, from South Korea and Malaysia respectively, have unveiled a proof-of-concept vehicle demonstrating a pathway for the Malaysian Army to upgrade its K200A1 armoured personnel carriers (APC).
The partners exhibited the tracked vehicle at DSA 2026, held from 20-23 April, in Kuala Lumpur.
It has been labelled the MIFV-CH25, with the C and H representing the two companies involved in the project.
The K200A1, which is referred to locally as the Malaysian Infantry Fighting Vehicle (MIFV), entered Malaysian Army service in the 1990s. A fleet of 111 vehicles was acquired some 30 years ago.
The two companies explained “the MIFV has now been modernised with the integration of a remote-controlled weapon station and a suite of enhanced systems tailored to Malaysia’s unique operational environment”. The RWS is a Hanwha product and it is armed with a 12.7mm machine gun.
Saeyoon Kwon, Assistant Manager, MRO Strategy team at Hanwha Aerospace’s MRO Business Group, explained that the Malaysian Army provided one K200 to the two companies after a contract was awarded in August 2024.
The vehicle was duly upgraded, and Kwon said it passed army trials in August 2025. While the Malaysian Army would like to upgrade its MIFV fleet, this depends on the availability of funds.
Armour protection remains unchanged on the MIFV-CH25, but other modifications include air-conditioning and electrical rear ramp actuators so that the vehicle engine does not have to be running in order to lower or raise the ramp.
There is a mission thermal camera system and rear-facing infrared LED camera that gives greater situational awareness and helps the driver manoeuvre the vehicle. A Pilar V acoustic gunshot detection system is also fitted, and it is planned to integrate this with the RWS to speed up response to hostile threats.
Inside the 13-tonne MIFV-CH25, the power distribution and monitoring systems have been updated in a new rugged unit. It offers diagnostic alerts, more efficient electrical management and greater stability.
The seats are replaced with lighter ones too to reduce weight, plus the vehicle lights are now LEDs. Data on display at DSA 2026 said the vehicle’s amphibious capabilities are restored.
The Republic of Korea Army is the biggest user of the K200 APC, but it has shown little inclination to upgrade its fleet of vehicles.
by Gordon Arthur
