The first view of a prototype Korean Amphibious Assault Vehicle II (KAAV II) being developed by Hanwha Aerospace occurred on 18 May, this being the first official announcement on the programme’s progress.
The KAAV II has been in concept development since 2015, with a scale model displayed in 2019 at Seoul ADEX. Prototype testing was disrupted by a sinking in 2023 that resulted in two fatalities. Progress on the programme continued under tight controls.
The KAAV II is intended to replace the current KAAV fleet of the Republic of Korea Marine Corps (ROKMC), this being a locally produced version of the US-designed AAV7 introduced in the 1970s.
Information provided has been limited. However, the most important performance feature and operational advancement of the KAAV II is its significant increase in waterborne speed over the KAAV. It can reportedly achieve a speed greater than 20km/h, versus 13.2km/h for the original vehicle. This is achieved by incorporating an extended, three-stage bow, aft trim vanes and side flaps that cover the track undersides in open-sea operations.
These features increase the vehicle’s bottom planing surface. Coupled with high-flow waterjets and a power pack that increases the standard 850hp engine output on land to 2,700hp in amphibious mode, this allows the KAAV II to rise out of the sea and plane across the surface.
Such high waterborne speeds permit launching from amphibious assault ships farther from shore. The amphibious vehicles reach the beach faster, thus reducing their exposure to enemy action.
The KAAV II will carry 18 dismounts, and with an anticipated crew of three. It draws elements from the K-NIFV, South Korea’s new infantry fighting vehicle design. Cooperation between Hanwha and Soucy Defence sees the vehicle using composite rubber tracks. It has a 70km/h land speed and can operate in extended ground combat operations.
The KAAV II prototype also had an unmanned weapon station mounting a 40mm cased telescoped ammunition (CTA) autocannon. The CTA design minimises the space required in the turret, offers more compact rounds and higher terminal effects.
The main weapon has a 200-rounds-per-minute firing rate, and it fires armour-piercing, high-explosive, airburst and anti-drone rounds. The cannon can elevate to 85°, enabling effective engagement of aerial and high-elevation targets.
The Defence Acquisition Program Administration formally approved acquisition of the KAAV II in September 2021. Approximately US$1.78 billion has been allocated toward the programme.
Initial production is scheduled to start in 2029, with operational fielding planned to be completed by 2036. The KAAV II will give the ROKMC a high-speed, armoured, amphibious assault, ship-to-shore capability equivalent to that of China’s ZBD-05 family.
by Stephen W. Miller
